Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

LOCAL AUTHORITY SHAMED FOR EMPLOYING TV 'CELEBS'

September 25, 2009 11:50 AM

GTI winnersNick Harvey says: "North Devon Council has recently been named and shamed for being profligate with taxpayers' money. A the Freedom of Information request claimed that employing two X Factor contestants to support Devon Games to Inspire (GTI) in July cost £11,000."

North Devon Council explained:

"We received a Freedom of Information request some time ago asking us if we had spent any money on celebrity appearances. As a result, we made it clear that the cost for two X-Factor artists at GTI was £11,000.

However, we also made it very clear that only £1,200 for the whole event had come from North Devon Council. For this small contribution, the authority was able to secure more than £50,000 of partnership funding. In its article, the Mirror wrongly reported on this, suggesting instead that the £11,000 in artist costs had come from North Devon Council taxpayers."

Nick responds, "The fact remains that the bulk of the costs were met by publicly funded bodies.*

"Also one might question the wisdom of this booking, while they helped bring in the crowds there is an issue of relevancy when it comes to turning a sporting event into a pop concert."

*The partner organisations that helped contribute to the GTI included Devon County Council, Babcock Marine, Devon Youth Service, Aim Higher, RELAYS, the Bridge Trust, Team Devon and other Devon local authorities. Each local authority that had teams competing gave a contribution of £500. As hosts this year, the Chairman of North Devon Council also contributed a further £700 in support of the event.

For NDC's full response see:

http://www.northdevon.gov.uk/index/news-main/news-article.htm?newsid=44577

For the Mirror's reporting see:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/09/21/town-haul-115875-21689138/

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Nick Harvey MP, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, Nick Harvey MP, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    nickharveymp.com/en/article/2009/400850/local-authority-shamed-for-employing-tv-celebs
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    nh.lib.dm/a0km5

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Nick Harvey MP, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    If you are a resident of the North Devon constituency and are writing to discuss any issue that Parliament or government is responsible for, you must provide your home address as MPs are generally only permitted to act on behalf of constituents.

    If you are not a constituent, you do not need to provide your address, but the matters we can deal with are more limited and you may wish to contact your local MP in the first instance.

    • If you agree, Nick Harvey MP, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone