A Misuse of Taxpayers' Money?

Hounslow Council's self promotion branded a 'disgrace'

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Banners and adverts hailing the successes of Hounslow Council have been branded a 'cynical use of tax payers money' by Chair of the Brentford and Isleworth Constituency Labour Party Steve Curran.

He said, “The Tory council's cynical use of tax payers money in a pre-election advertising blitz across the borough is a disgrace.

"They have abused their position by wasting council taxpayers money claiming they have made savings through their so called 'improvement programme' yet wasting it on expensive advertising."

He continued, "The banners look like they are straight from Tory central office. What I want to know is how much this has cost the tax payer?"

Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of the council, said, “These services (and others that aren’t included such as cutting graffiti in half, investing more in roads, parks and community safety) are ones that - back in 2008 - we promised would deliver by the end of this financial year as part of the Hounslow Plan.

“They are based on what local people told us they wanted, so we think it’s important that people know that we are delivering on what they want. When the next Hounslow Plan is being drawn up I hope people see that their views are important and get involved.

“In common with other councils up and down the country, we have always advertised council services to promote them to residents. The latest publicity promotes a range of services - recycling, libraries and leisure centres – that rely on high public awareness. By wrapping them together into one campaign we have been able to spread the cost of this publicity to get more exposure than would have been possible if they had been done in isolation.”

March 5, 2010