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| Storm over £80k spin doctor |
Plans by Islington Council to appoint an £80,000 a year
‘spin doctor’ were branded this week as a “cynical
ploy to promote itself” eight months before the local elections.
The borough is advertising for an Assistant Director of Customer
Focus to deliver the message that Islington is the “fastest
improving council in the country” and one of “London’s
most dynamic boroughs”.
The successful applicant would help run the council’s press
office but also have the ear of departmental heads to advise on
communications and consultation.
Labour opposition leader Councillor Catherine West immediately attacked
the appointment as extremely wasteful at a time when the council
had been cutting back on services.
“I can think of a number of better things the money could be
more profitably spent on instead of another council publicist,”
she said. “What about bringing four more council homes up to
the Labour government’s Decent Homes Standard. Or a three-person
graffiti removal team?
“A decent consultation on the St Mary Magdalene Academy?
“Or better swimming lesson provision across Islington, with
three more swimming teachers?
“Above else, the Lib Dems are wedded to their PR. The £80,000
could be better spent on a host of different things, which would
directly improve the quality of life for our residents.
“Yet the Lib Dems have opted to spend money telling voters
that ‘they’ve never had it so good’.”
Labour, she added, is committed to cutting back the council’s
publicity bill, and spending the savings on front line services.
The job was advertised in Saturday’s Guardian media pages under
the heading:” The fastest improving council in the country
– take us to a higher level.”
King’s Cross residents' action group spokesman Stephan Schulte
said:” I’m not questioning what they are paying –
the issue is that we have an election coming up next year. Why would
they want to promote themselves to the public if it was not for
electioneering?
“This is a glorified PR job and the question is why is it necessary
at all? Why should we the taxpayers spend any additional money on
funding this job?”
Independent Cllr Richard Heseltine said he was surprised the council
had to pay £80,000 for the job. “But spin doctors are
kings these days. And the idea is possibly to get newspapers like
the Islington Tribune on message.
“The advertisement says up o £78,807 but I would have
thought that £60,000 was nearer the mark.”
Council leader Cllr Steve Hitchins said that he understood the officer
would replace the previous director of communications. “There
isn’t an authority in the country who doesn’t have a director
of communications or the equivalent. If you read the local Government
Association guidelines they say communications and PR are very,
very important. At the same time we are advised that £78,000
is about the going rate for the job.” |
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