Essex Conservatives 'take leave of senses' and set up PR agency

10.57.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 3rd May 2009

Lib Dem County Council Group Leader, Councillor Tom Smith-Hughes

Conservative-led Essex County Council has announced plans to launch its own public relations agency - with Essex taxpayers' money. Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes said: "This is the point where the Conservative administration has finally taken leave of its senses."

Essex County Council plans to appoint up to 11 extra staff who will work alongside the existing 25 strong communications team. Cllr Smith-Hughes added,

"As if Essex residents were not suffering enough in this financial crisis, they now have to watch their hard earned cash being ploughed into a pet project, likely to end in tears, rather than having it spent on fixing roads or providing services for children or the elderly. Taxpayers' will, of course, pay for all expenditure and will be liable for any losses.

"There is currently an investigation into the council's communications department being undertaken after complaints were made about dishonest and misleading ads placed by the council communications department. The council needs to sort out its own PR. Against that background, it is particularly foolhardy to be contemplating such a venture."