Harlow Tory attempts to discover the cost of Discover Harlow
News / Mon 16th Jul 2018 am31 07:45am
THE deputy leader of the Harlow Conservatives has asked the leader of Harlow Council to reveal the cost to the taxpayer of a PR group brought in to promote the town.
Cllr Joel Charles asked the question at Thursday night’s council meeting.
Cllr Charles made reference to an article in Private Eye which stated that Thinking Places were used by Cornwall Council. An FOI revealed that the PR firm had cost £75,000.
Th new leader of Harlow Council, cllr Mark Ingall was not able to tell the chamber how much Thinking Places and their Discover Harlow campaign had cost but pledged he would get back to him with an answer.
Film of the exchange is below.
Brett Hawksbee
2018-07-16 08:58:35
Joel Charles will be aware that whatever the cost of such an exercise, its undertaking will have been predicated on a consequent benefit; the cost/benefit analysis. 'How much?' as a stand alone question is really quite meaningless. If I spent £25k over two years staying in a London Club, for example, I would have to also recognise that a significant saving would occur on my travel budget ... No, how much, on its own, is shallow minded kite flying... and frankly, the suggestion that any council might after 8 years of Tory rule, be being profligate, suggests that Cllr Charles is in total denial about the effects of Tory cuts on all local councils. Public Relations spend is not a convenient way to waste taxpayer funds ... it is an investment commitment undertaken to create future benefit. But of course arguing about the veracity of cost benefit analysis claims has none of the headline grabbing simplicity of a singe figure, misrepresented as 'waste', which is Cllr Charles's clear intention. I can imagine that in New York, back in the 1970's some underling might just have questioned why the almost bankrupt city was spending money with a marketing agency. All they seemed to get for their money was an I 'Heart' New York logo ... which came to symbolise the renaissance of the city, and is now ubiquitous in cities around the globe. I am not suggesting a similar outcome to Harlow's PR spend, whatever it might be, merely that cost, without a measured benefit, is incomplete information, and barely worth knowing without also knowing the counterbalancing 'up-side'. In this case that might be measured over many years.
MickyB77
2018-07-16 11:01:50
What a load of nonsense from the Champagne Momentist. Might, could, perhaps and maybe. Therefore,it'll cost you and it only promotes the momentum factor. BH must be in love with the sound of his own keyboard.
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 11:08:14
Typical Tory blather, they know the price of everything and the value of nothing. How many lives have their disastrous austerity policies destroyed? How many jobs are at risk due to their catastrophic Brexit negotiations? Time for a general election to put them where they belong, the dustbin of history.
Brett Hawksbee
2018-07-16 11:14:58
Oh dear sweet MickyB77 ... you really struggle with this 'thinking' malarkey, don't you?. Still, at least you have the 'automatic' stuff ... the breathing in and out bit, down pat ... Each might, could and maybe is demonstrating the shortcomings and failings of the question, not my answer. And "BH must be in love with the sound of his own keyboard?" I'll wager you post a minimum 1000% more often than I ...
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 11:19:27
I heard Mickey Mouse has got a MickyB77 wristwatch.
MickyB77
2018-07-16 11:33:48
Boys to-gether, lovely.
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 11:50:05
What gave you the impression I am a boy?
MickyB77
2018-07-16 12:19:33
Same impression that you always refer to others as,"he's this, he's that,he's aTory". Exactly, a boy, most people refer as 'man'. Opinionated as your, "I'm to clever for you", pal. Let's be honest, a lot of your sarky comments are very playgroundish. What's all this got to do with the already profligate council we sadly have ?
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 12:43:13
That'll be *too* clever. When you're trying to make someone else look a fool, at least get your grammar right.
Brett Hawksbee
2018-07-16 13:40:32
He's struggling again, standing up, breathing in and out and thinking at the same time can be taxing for Micky boy. Tip; Sit down, or hold your breath if you're trying to form ideas, Micky. (If it's a somewhat complex concept, you may need to do both) Your referring to Micky, at least, as a 'he', JFQ ... would that have anything to do with him calling himself 'Micky' by any chance?
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 13:54:30
Could be Michaela.
MickyB77
2018-07-16 15:58:25
I'd withdraw your Brexit comment. Wrong again.
JerryFromQueens
2018-07-16 16:23:24
What are you on about now? Actually, forget I asked. You don't even know.
MickyB77
2018-07-17 06:30:58
This week's "spot the clanger" competition. As usual the smugness exudes from the pair of Marxists. Imagine if they ever get into real power, momentum rules you, and no free speech, B H downloading garbage by the yard to appear self important. Captains of the Anti-fa. Awful thought. Mind you, it takes two of them to try and bash up little old me, typifies the ilk. Councils in England have already been warned and fined by Government, that production of these money wasting propagandist magazines must cease.
tenpin
2018-07-17 08:19:54
Lets get back to the original subject of this post shall we people. The Harlow Alliance Party welcomes the fact that at last Harlow Council has acknowledged that the town needs to be promoted in a positive way, indeed it has been one of our policies since our inception in January. Of course a cost benefit analysis would have been carried out with regard to spend, but I think what is the real issue here is who has been appointed to carry out the task and just what happens to it's conclusions. Harlow is unique for many reasons and quite frankly unless you are a resident it is impossible to really 'feel' what the town is all about. An in house 'think tank' involving councillors from both Parties, residents and interest groups could easily identify issues which need to be addressed and possible solutions,at virtually no cost. The key issue then is how the Council and others take things forward. We believe for instance that Harlow fails to promote the many attractions in a co-ordinated way. Many towns have a brochure identify events and attractions in their town, which you will find in hotel lobbies and libraries in a wide catchment area. The Chelmsford Festival and the Hoddesdon Vintage car show are two recent examples where towns hold events which bring people into the town from far and wide, Harlow's fire work display shows what can be done, we need more events similar to this, In conclusion, unless long term resources are found to promote the town, then the work done by this PR company will sit on the shelf gathering dust.
MickyB77
2018-07-17 09:48:58
Fireworks !!! Would you care to pay for the sedation of,horses and dogs whenever fireworks are in vogue ? Immense suffering for animals,and sometimes two legged ones. End of nose view ?
tenpin
2018-07-17 11:27:40
I am afraid MickyB77 your last post does you no good service. I was suggesting that large scale events be held in the town, bringing visitors on a large scale. These will I assure you will not involve a firework!,
Brett Hawksbee
2018-07-17 13:19:02
I'm inclined to agree with Tenpin on all counts. Yes Harlow is a place best understood, and appreciated,by a resident. It is a place often misunderstood and derided by many outsiders. And the way to make it a place of diverse and varied interests for residents and visitors, is use it's brilliant resources to stage popular cultural events and activities. As Harlow Labour Party we will be doing our bit at Linkfest 25/26 August ... Over 20 performers over the two days, music and comedy. Come and visit the Labour Marquee. We are planning a Harlow Cyclathon for September to promote our great cycle path network. But further ahead ... yes, we should encourage free car/bike shows, classic or otherwise ... music events ... Rock, Pop, Jazz, World Music in the Town Park ... We could even have small Specialised Car Shows in the heart of the Town Centre ... Broadwalk/Market Square, or hardstanding Westgate up to the Cinema square/Kung Do. Do not assume that many in the Labour Party, and Labour Council actually disagree with you on this one. And the resources should be found. This is tens of thousands of pounds to find per year, but for a full programme of events which will be for residents, and also attract visitors. I wouldn't rule these things out, Tenpin.
MickyB77
2018-07-18 06:14:32
Something that I care deeply about tenpin. I apologise for being a little abrupt,but, at the mention of 'firework',I do get a bit, you know. Thanks for the assurance. Good Luck with your attempted project.
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