Hard-up and cash-strapped Lib Dem Bournemouth Council have just announced plans to spend a further £125,000 a year to 'manage the Council's reputation.'

At a time when Bournemouth's residents are constantly being told by this Lib Dem administration that they have the best interests of the Council tax payer at heart, it is nothing short of self-serving for additional money to be poured into political spin.

It may come as a surprise to Bournemouth's residents to learn that the Council's PR machine already costs about £440,000 a year and that it is now proposed to add to this burden with a minimum of a further £125,000 a year, every year. This figure is the minimum amount planned and the Council are considering an even higher increase at a time when vital front line services are being cut and many of Bournemouth's facilities are being closed or sold off.

In addition, the Lib Dem Council have introduced a new post to their administration - a Cabinet Member with 'Special interest in community relations and corporate communications' - Cllr Andrew Garratt, the Lib Dem Councillor for political spin, paid for by the Bournemouth council tax payer.

Leader of Bournemouth's Conservatives, Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin said, 'It is getting harder and harder to hold this all powerful Lib Dem administration to account and tell the people of Bournemouth what is really going on at the Town Hall.' He continued, 'Another layer of political spin, paid for by the people of Bournemouth, will make it more difficult to be heard, but the Conservatives will continue to oppose the duplicity of the Lib Dem Council and this latest politically motivated waste of precious Council resources.'

Cllr MacLoughlin added, 'This is something else the Lib Dems forgot to tell the people of Bournemouth in their detailed and comprehensive election manifesto that promised so much and is delivering so little.'

For further details please contact:

Cllr John Beesley
Bournemouth Conservatives
on Bournemouth Council

Tel. 01202 762403
Mobile 07860 391219
email john.beesley@bournemouth.gov.uk