A BITTER dispute has erupted after council chiefs splashed out thousands of pounds setting up their own web TV station.
But the move, meant to keep Chester residents informed about the work Cheshire West and Chester Council is doing, has been slammed as a waste of money amid budget cuts and a recession.
Tory-controlled Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has now been accused of “wasting” £10,000 developing the internet television station ‘Love to live’ as part of its vision of using 21st century methods of keeping residents informed.
But opposition councillors have reacted angrily to the move, calling it “irresponsible” in light of recent budget cuts which has resulted in hundreds of council staff being made redundant.
Labour finance and performance spokesman Justin Madders said councillors needed to get a grip of spending before it was too late.
“I am all for promoting the area we live in through all mediums but did not hear anything about this particular project until it hit the press,” he said.
“Given that we know big cuts are already starting in council spending and even bigger cuts are around the corner which will affect every key service I consider it grotesque that we can commit a five-figure sum to something like this.”
He added: “Virtually every day I find another example of cost-cutting in frontline services in this council but it seems for some the penny has not yet dropped that we are heading for the largest reductions in funding in living memory.
“We are told the cost of this TV station will be offset by advertising income ‘over time’ but that sounds to me little more than an aspiration.”
Labour group leader Cllr Derek Bateman added: “This came as a complete surprise and it is quite a large amount to be spending on an advertising facility of this nature.
“We don’t know why they are spending money willy-nilly.
“That does concern us and that is why we are drawing attention to it.”
CWaC spokesman Ian Callister said: “I understand Cllr Madders has been informed that the site will be self-funding and indeed that the one-off launch expenditure of £10,000, recouped through advertising.
“The TV station is simply part of the council’s policy to use 21st century communication methods to keep residents of West Cheshire informed. We are well aware of the forthcoming potential reductions in funding and the reasons for them.
“In its first year CWaC reduced its staffing levels by more than 1,200 and saved over £35,000,000 worth of taxpayers’ money.”