Bromsgrove Advertiser: The postcard row goes on

A NATIONAL organisation dedicated to keeping a close watch on public spending and services has added its comments to the so called racist'' Glad or Grumpy informatiom postcard campaign run by the district council for Bromsgrove Partnership The independent TaxPayers' Alliance became involved following stories in the Avertiser/Messenger last month about an alleged slur on black people.

Labour councillors claimed two black figures on the cards, designed to be filled in by residents to indicate their feelings about Bromsgrove, were shown as grumpy whereas the white faces were happy.

The council, which strongly denied any hint of racism, later made a swop when it was reprinted. The council is part of the Bromsgrove Partnership, which represents a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the new West Midlands branch of the Alliance contacted the council for a breakdown of the cost of producing and distributing the postcards. It amounted to £1,504.63 including VAT.

In a dig at the council an alliance spokesman said: "Incompetence like this leads to bigger examples of wasteful spending elswhere. The mindset that doesn't think twice about blowing over a grand on unnecessary postcards is what causes so much of the wasteful spending we see all around us in local government."

But Hugh Bennett, the council's assistant chief executive, said: 2The postcard and consultation is not unnecessary and it's important to remember it was sent out on behalf of the Bromsgrove Partnership.

"To spend this money, less than 4p a postcard, on consultation means we target future budgets in the areas that people have said are a priority to them."

He added that so far 600 cards have been returned, a positive sign people feel it important that their voices are heard on how the quality of life in the district can be improved.