Council accused of wasting money over leaflet

Essex County Council has come under fire for its leaflet outlining proposals for a new three-council structure for the county

A row has erupted over a council's use of taxpayers' money to post out a leaflet promoting its preferred model of local government.

Essex County Council wants three all-purpose unitary councils to replace the county's current 15 local authorities, as part of a national reorganisation of local government.

But the Liberal Democrats have accused the council of "wasting money" and breaking the code of practice on local authority publicity in promoting the plan.

Conservative council leader Kevin Bentley said: "We are going through the most fantastical change. It is important that all residents of Essex have the chance to understand what we are proposing."

'Wasting money'

Ten council leaders, who are backing an alternative plan for for five unitary authorities, have written to the local government minister complaining about the county council's publicity campaign.

Its leaflet, headlined "Three new councils. One bright future," is being sent by mail to about 340,000 households in Essex.

The county council says it is costing £36,921.75.

However, it mentions only one of the four plans that have been proposed to change the structure and number of councils in Essex.

Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson, leader of Chelmsford City Council and also a county councillor, said: "The leaflet doesn't actually make it clear that it comes from the county council, which seems to me as being a little dishonest."

He called on Bentley to "justify spending all this public money."

'Good and proper'

Bentley argued it was important the public was consulted.

"If you are not doing it with the other cases I strongly urge you to do so," he said.

"We are spending taxpayers' money to inform taxpayers of a fundamental change in the way their services are delivered. That is good and proper value for money."

The Conservatives pointed to Chelmsford City Council's Facebook page, which is promoting the five-council model.

Robinson retorted: "That is not a paid advert."

The government is currently reviewing the proposals and is expected to consult the public before Christmas on its preferred options for the future of Essex's local government.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said the leaflets was being delivered to areas where residents were less likely to use or easily access digital communications.

"It explains and outlines the facts about what a three unitary-council option would mean, within the relevant guidelines," they said.

"We are not persuading residents to take a specific view; we are encouraging them to find out more."

The council said the content was "fully compliant with publicity code of practice guidelines".

The leaflet, seen by the BBC, includes details of the county council's website and says "Produced by Essex County Council" in the bottom corner.