MP joins criticism of council web TV channel
PLANS for a council-run TV station have been savaged by a Carmarthenshire MP, amid suggestions the cost of running it could be hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The criticism from Plaid's Adam Price echoes an attack from fellow party members at a Carmarthenshire Council meeting last week.
They dismissed proposals for the internet-station — Carmarthenshire TV — as a propaganda tool and a waste of money.
Council officials have been keen to stress that the year-long pilot project would be funded in the main by the Assembly and that it is still in its initial stages, but the timing has sparked uproar, as the authority prepares to cut £6 million from its budget.
Mr Price said this week: "I am quite astonished that the county council would think it is appropriate to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayer's money on a TV channel and self promotion at the same time people in the county are struggling to make ends meet.
Self-promotion
"It is amazing that while the Labour-Independent group leading the council complain that they do not have enough money, even though they received one of the best local government settlements in Wales, they consider self-promotion through a TV channel as an acceptable expense."
Carmarthenshire's assistant chief executive Chris Burns had told the meeting the bilingual scheme would cost £30,000 for the year, and be part-funded by axing one issue of the council's bi-monthly Community News magazine.
But that has done nothing to placate its critics, and Plaid has continued its attack since.
In a statement, the party's leader in county hall, Peter Hughes Griffiths, said: "We know already the county council spends more on self-publicity than other councils.
"In a recession, with the council's leaders complaining incessantly about the lack of money from the Government, there is no excuse for increasing expenditure in this area.
"I know that Kent Council launched a similar scheme — and the cost to them was £600,000."
In response, Mr Burns said: "It is important to stress that the proposal for the Carmarthenshire TV project is at a very early stage.
"The executive board has agreed in principle that we pursue the project, with our partner organisations in the Local Service Board, which will make much more information available online. It involves adding video items to our website to make it a multi-media platform.
"It is particularly aimed at giving young people information, and also giving media students opportunities for practical experience, in partnerships with the local colleges and, hopefully, the local media." Funding streams and a provider are now being discussed."
7 Comments
by Teifion, llandovery
Saturday, September 12 2009, 7:31AM
“I just LOVE the way the councillors have excused the spending on this silly ventue by stating a lot of the money comes from The senedd in cardiff.
I've got some news for them - its TAX revenunue so we still pay for it - as far as I'm concerned its money coming out from my jacket pocket NOT my trouser pocker- not a lot of difference is there?
:(”
by Harold, SEETHING!!!
Friday, September 11 2009, 9:29PM
“Brian well said they can go onto youtube for FREE!! I.ve forked out £60 for 2 parking permits - WHY??? I pay my council tax. Plus the electoral register card came round and i used the text service only to receive a reply a day later to say my text wasnt correct, that's cost me. They make money anyway they can and earmark it for unneccesary things. I think North Wales Police are on youtube so why cant the Council follow their example?”
by caebrwyn, hafod bridge, llanwrda
Friday, September 11 2009, 8:11PM
“evans, ammanford
how about 'Carry on Council' or 'Confessions of a Planning Officer' or 'Where Egos Dare' or even 'A Fistful of Dollars'”
by Sandra, Swansea
Friday, September 11 2009, 5:22PM
“Brian from Neath, very well put, money is hard to come by and it is in the hands of Idiots who claim so much in attendance fees and so called expenses they have lost touch with reality, I find that the indecent amount spent on trying to force the Welsh language on uninterested tax payers is insult enough to residents looking for practical commitment towards improving facilities for their families without looking for more, and your Idea of U-Tube would cost little and reach a wider audience.”
by ERIC, Llanelli
Friday, September 11 2009, 4:05PM
“Only trouble will be if it went ahead , would it be in Welsh or English. there is money going down the drain now over problems with Bilingual. or Lack of it, it seems as if it is Welsh ONLY now.”
by evans, ammanfrd
Friday, September 11 2009, 3:53PM
“Will we be able to see films,starring merril Gravelle,Hugh EvansKevin Madge.”
by Brian Morris, Neath Port Talbot
Friday, September 11 2009, 1:28PM
“This is typical of groups that have a little bit of power - such as local councils - they have these delusions of grandeur and as its not their money (the tax payers money) they find useless ways of spending it. Instead of this money going to a local volunteers group of a group that really needs this money they have these grandiose ideas of how they can promote themselves. Look your a local council being paid by the tax payers of your area - provide the best services you can for the money you take from the tax payer and stop wasting the money. If you had any senses the members involved with this idiotic idea would ask residents if they were in favour of it - NO - your to cowardly to do this because you know what the response would be.
If you need to "broadcast" your councils message - use the normal channels - the press and drop leaflets. If you still wish to produce a video for people to watch - buy a webcam and place any videos on youtube - end of - haven't you skinned enough taxes from your electorate? - these council taxes are not meant for TV station purchases - fools”