Conservative councillor Mitchell Goldie says the council should stop spending money on ‘glossy PR campaigns’ and instead focus on delivering value for money
At a time when Waltham Forest Council is facing a £31.4m budget overspend by next March, it’s astonishing that they’ve chosen to spend over £62,000 on a glossy public relations campaign called “Together Waltham Forest”.
According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the campaign has cost taxpayers £62,089, including £22,862 on “concept development and design”, and £15,000 on lamppost banners across the borough, plus thousands more on photography, railing banners and ‘site dressing’.
Residents are being told the council’s finances are under “unprecedented strain”, yet tens of thousands are being wasted on PR spin. That money could have filled potholes, funded youth clubs for local young people, or supported charities and foodbanks helping those most in need.
While Labour-run Waltham Forest Council wastes residents’ money, they are at the same time asking the Labour Mayor of London and the Labour government for more funding. We were told a Labour government would deliver for Waltham Forest – but residents will rightly be asking whether this is really what delivery looks like.
Instead of spending on slogans and banners, the council should be focusing on delivering value for money, protecting essential services, and getting the basics right.
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