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Councils' millions on hired help Councils' millions on hired help
(9 minutes later)
The public sector union Unison has criticised local authorities in Wales for spending millions of pounds on management consultants.The public sector union Unison has criticised local authorities in Wales for spending millions of pounds on management consultants.
Conwy Council was the biggest spender last year at £3.1m, Flintshire spent nearly £2.2m and Merthyr Tydfil, Wales' smallest council, spent nearly £2.3m.Conwy Council was the biggest spender last year at £3.1m, Flintshire spent nearly £2.2m and Merthyr Tydfil, Wales' smallest council, spent nearly £2.3m.
Unison said: "They seem to be eating up scarce resources."Unison said: "They seem to be eating up scarce resources."
The Welsh Local Government Association said councils did not always have consultants' expertise in-house.The Welsh Local Government Association said councils did not always have consultants' expertise in-house.
The figures were obtained by a Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales', Wales at Work programme. Of the 22 councils in Wales, 17 responded within the time limit. The figures were obtained by a Freedom of Information request by the BBC's Wales at Work programme. Of the 22 councils in Wales, 17 responded within the time limit.
The total amount councils spent on management consultants varied greatly, with Conwy, Flintshire and Merthyr Tydfil each spending more on outside advice than the Welsh Assembly Government.The total amount councils spent on management consultants varied greatly, with Conwy, Flintshire and Merthyr Tydfil each spending more on outside advice than the Welsh Assembly Government.
The short-term use of the right management consultants can be a cost-effective alternative The Welsh Local Government Association MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT SPENDING Conwy £3,120,000Flintshire £2,183,510Merthyr Tydfil £2,276,000Torfaen £2,083,267Swansea £1,449,066Bridgend £946,740Neath Port Talbot £781,457Caerphilly £675 411Wrexham £666,470Blaenau Gwent £613,812Gwynedd £549,964Ceredigion £433,112Powys £396,911Monmouthshire £305,919Denbighshire £213,257Vale of Glamorgan £50,224Carmarthenshire NoneCardiff, Newport and Anglesey No response to FoI requests within time limitRCT and Pembrokeshire FoI request not met because of cost reasonsWelsh Assembly Government £1,964,365 Spending on management consultants. Source: Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales
On the other end of the scale, Carmarthenshire Council did not engage the services of any external consultancies last year. The local authority said it had not identified a need.On the other end of the scale, Carmarthenshire Council did not engage the services of any external consultancies last year. The local authority said it had not identified a need.
In 2007/2008, the Welsh Assembly Government spent nearly £2m hiring the services of consultancy firms like Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Bravosolutions and Elan.In 2007/2008, the Welsh Assembly Government spent nearly £2m hiring the services of consultancy firms like Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Bravosolutions and Elan.
Paul Elliott, head of local government for Unison in Wales, expressed deep concern about the public sector's use of consultants.Paul Elliott, head of local government for Unison in Wales, expressed deep concern about the public sector's use of consultants.
He said: "There's only a certain amount of money available for public services."He said: "There's only a certain amount of money available for public services."
SPENDING ON MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Conwy £3,120,000Flintshire £2,183,510Merthyr Tydfil £2,276,000Torfaen £2,083,267Swansea £1,449,066Bridgend £946,740Neath Port Talbot £781,457Caerphilly £675 411Wrexham £666,470Blaenau Gwent £613,812Gwynedd £549,964Ceredigion £433,112Powys £396,911Monmouthshire £305,919Denbighshire £213,257Vale of Glamorgan £50,224Carmarthenshire NoneCardiff, Newport, Anglesey FoI requests out of timeRCT, Pembrokeshire FOI costs 'exceeded'Welsh Assembly Government £1,964,365 Source: Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales
Conwy Council said a substantial amount of the council's expenditure was supported by Welsh Assembly Government funding and other grants, and did not directly impact council taxpayers.Conwy Council said a substantial amount of the council's expenditure was supported by Welsh Assembly Government funding and other grants, and did not directly impact council taxpayers.
A spokesman said: "We don't have spare capacity and therefore when we need specific expert advice on capital schemes or on large flagship projects, we buy in the expertise as and when required."A spokesman said: "We don't have spare capacity and therefore when we need specific expert advice on capital schemes or on large flagship projects, we buy in the expertise as and when required."
In a statement the Welsh Local Government Association said: "The use of management consultancy is commonplace in all sectors.In a statement the Welsh Local Government Association said: "The use of management consultancy is commonplace in all sectors.
"Local authorities are multi-million pound businesses that offer hundreds of everyday services to communities."Local authorities are multi-million pound businesses that offer hundreds of everyday services to communities.
"However, there is a limit to the specific professional expertise that is available to them within their authority."However, there is a limit to the specific professional expertise that is available to them within their authority.
"The term 'management consultants' covers a plethora of professional and technical expertise, advice and support that can help local councils to deal with a particular issue at a given time."The term 'management consultants' covers a plethora of professional and technical expertise, advice and support that can help local councils to deal with a particular issue at a given time.
"It would be very difficult and expensive for councils to permanently employ all the detailed experience and expertise they might ever need. The short-term use of the right management consultants can be a cost-effective alternative. ""It would be very difficult and expensive for councils to permanently employ all the detailed experience and expertise they might ever need. The short-term use of the right management consultants can be a cost-effective alternative. "
Rhondda Cynon Taf and Pembrokeshire councils refused to supply the information because they said it would exceed the cost limit of a Freedom of Information request.Rhondda Cynon Taf and Pembrokeshire councils refused to supply the information because they said it would exceed the cost limit of a Freedom of Information request.
Cardiff and Newport councils did not supply the information requested within the time limit.Cardiff and Newport councils did not supply the information requested within the time limit.
The issue of the use of management consultants in the public and private sector is discussed on Tuesday's edition of the programme.The issue of the use of management consultants in the public and private sector is discussed on Tuesday's edition of the programme.
Wales@work, Radio Wales, on Tuesday at 1830 BST.Wales@work, Radio Wales, on Tuesday at 1830 BST.