News / SIC’s half a million consultants’ bill
SHETLAND Islands Council spent almost half a million pounds on private consultants last year, it has emerged.
A Freedom of Information request by public workers union Unison revealed that Scottish local authorities paid more than £42 million to consultants in 2008/09, with the SIC’s bill coming in at £462,000.
Union bosses said last night that significant savings could be made in local authorities consultants’ budgets at a time of tough financial decisions.
Unison’s Scottish organiser Dave Watson said the union had identified savings of more than £40 million nationwide.
“Rather than concentrating on cutting services, politicians and the media might profitably look more closely at cutting the use of private consultants in local councils if there is a need to save money.
“Unison has published an alternative budget at UK level that highlights much waste that could be saved including by ending central government use of consultants, and this waste could also be cut in Scotland.”
A spokesman for Shetland Islands Council said they needed more time to specify how many different consultants had been employed on how many projects during 2008/09.
“Generally the rule is that consultants are only employed where the council does not employ staff with the necessary skills, often in technically specific areas,” he said.
“The budget report which was at the council on 17 February included a figure of £1 million savings to be delivered through more effective procurement. This covers all goods and services, including consultants.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.