Tory led East Riding Council spends £55,000 on survey that never was

10.38.39am GMT Fri 1st Dec 2006

Tory-run East Riding Council has today confirmed that the secret Brahm survey into what residents think of the Council, has cost the public the princely sum of £55,068.50. The figure has been revealed by the Council's Head of Legal and Democratic Services, following a formal Freedom of Information request by the Opposition Liberal Democrats.

The research conducted in 2005 by the Council using PR firm Brahm and paid for by public money, has remained under wraps after the ruling Conservatives blocked publication of the results at a Council meeting in July 2006.

Lib Dem Councillor David Nolan said: "When I first heard the figure I was staggered at the sheer cost. It was ten times what I expected. The Conservative Leader of the Council has got some explaining to do over why public money has gone on research which has never been written-up or formally presented and for which seemingly the copyright is held by the PR Company. I have always understood that in business, he who pays the piper calls the tune, not the other way round. We've paid £55,000 but don't even have a report to show for it. I think this whole matter needs investigating, as it is frankly difficult to see what value the taxpayer has got for this huge sum."

Lib Dem Social Services Spokesperson Cllr Mary Kingston said: "Yesterday the Tory-run Cabinet voted to start squeezing the social services home care for our very elderly and vulnerable residents to save money. Today we've learnt they spent a huge amount of money on PR research. The £55,000 could have paid for an awful lot of home care and made a difference to people's lives, but instead it has been wasted."