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Council says buy local but buys anywhere but local
Date published: 11 March 2010
Rochdale Borough Council signed up to a buy local agreement three years ago and recently has spent around £50,000 trying to persuade locals to shop local but yet again the Council fails to practice what it preaches.
The Council has given a contract to help market a forthcoming event to a company based in Ramsbottom, without giving any local company even the opportunity to quote.
Asked why a Council spokesman said: "Where possible we use existing resources and volunteers for this kind of work, and in this instance we were planning to do this again. As we couldn't get any volunteers at the required times we contacted Brighter Business Solutions at the last moment for help.
"Looking for volunteers first, rather than contracting the work out straight away, meant that time was very tight."
When it was pointed out that it takes a matter of minutes to phone local companies, so the tight timescale excuse is a red herring, the Council said: "Had we asked for three quotes, there would have been a real risk of not getting the job started on time."
Of course not if the Council had asked in time and/or set a time limit of say 48 hours on receipt of quotations.
Frank Salt, who is standing as an Independent candidate in Castleton in the local elections in May, said: "Where there is a will there is a way, what is lacking with Rochdale Council is the will. This is yet another instance of the Council talking the talk, but not walking the walk.
"I despair, time after time the Council does not even give local companies the opportunity to quote, when will they begin to understand that a buy local campaign needs to be for real not just an exercise so the Council can tick a few boxes and say they have 'done something'.
"Businesses in Castleton, and indeed the rest of the borough, are battling to survive and Rochdale Council needs to stop its tick box 'initiatives' and actually do something to ensure local companies get at least the opportunity of Council business."
Comments
Mr Salt, hope you have a good election day. When Councillor Davison is gone, then Mr Salt it will give you time to recruit another independent.
This Council says one thing and does exactly the opposite.
I am based in the borough and a marketer. I would have happily assisted. The current process is scandalous. To be considered for council work you need to apply for projects when advertised. You then get on "an approved list" and can be called upon when necessary. If the council don't advertise for local companies to apply for work then there is no chance for local companies to get on the "approved list".
I'd like to know what this event was and how much the council has paid?
I too wish you every success Mr Salt. I think we need people who have a common sense approach and people centred standpoint and not the incompetent crowd we currently suffer under.
Have I moved back into a surreal universe by mistake?
You couldn't make this stuff up; has RMBC got some kind of sponsorship deal with the Council's of surrounding towns to run our town into the gutter then bulldoze what remains of the town centre and turn Rochdale into a car park for a Park & Ride schemme for the rest of Greater Manchester? One cant help but wonder.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Do as we say, not do as we do! Also we Liberal Democrat 'leaders' know best.
Have Your Say
Fully agree Mr Salt, it's just the latest in a long list of where RMBC have been shown to be putting other towns interests over and above those of our own town.
By Chill @ 11/03/2010 10:53:24