Labour give green light for yet more council waste

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Sep 2006

Sheffields Liberal Democrats have discovered that the Labour Council have hired new consultants, for a period up until the end of the year, at a cost to the Sheffield taxpayer of £350,000. The news comes hot on the heels of other high profile revelations at the council that include new £100,000 training costs for senior managers and the provision of £150,000 to employ a new council 'fat-cat' with the title of 'Director of Innovation'.

In the report council officers note that consultants, a company called PA Consulting, will be required to 'provide independent views, to challenge the status quo, and to identify innovative solutions to improve the delivery of our services in line with customer expectation'. If the consultation is deemed successful then there is the prospect of another huge bill for further work.

Lib Dems are calling for Labour bosses to stop wasting public money on new consultants and senior managers within the Town Hall. They are calling on the controlling Labour group to re-focus the councils priorities on investing more in front line services and reducing council tax.

Councillor Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Finance, said: -

"Just a short time after Labour spent an extra £250,000 on senior managers, explaining that 'we need the tools to do the job', they have now agreed to spend a further £350,000 to bring in expensive consultants. Its clear the taxpayers of Sheffield are being taken for a ride"

"I agree that services provided by this council should and could be greatly improved. However, we don't need to waste more money by spending an extra £350,000 on consultants to achieve this"

"We need political leadership in the Town Hall to provide clear direction, to combat bureaucrats and to get underneath the layers of bureaucracy in order put the people of Sheffield's interests first. Its clear this has been lacking with Labour in power"

"For every pound spent on waste and bureaucracy in the Town Hall, it is one less pound for essential council services. This is why its crucial the culture of waste that has developed within this council is tackled head on. Labour have shown they are not up to the job"