Haringey Council's controversial poster

Haringey Council could face investigation into wasting public funds

Kate Ferguson, Reporter Saturday, July 14, 2012
2:00 PM

Haringey Council could face an investigation by the district auditor into allegations it wasted public funds by paying for a poster in Westminster tube station.

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Liberal Democrat councillors have asked the auditor to look into all the town hall’s spending on publicity after it emerged it had forked out £1,200 for the premium advertising spot.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Haringey Liberal Democrat Leader, said: “Residents will be shocked and appalled that Labour thinks that it is the best use of scarce Council funding on posters in a tube station miles from Haringey.

“Not only has Labour paid for posters but they had to pay more for them outside the borough where there will be little or no use.

“Labour has a funny idea of a bargain if they think paying extra money for a less useful location is value for money.”

The poster was advertising the council’s One Borough One Future drive to tackle social inequality.

The council said the advertising spot was value for money and chosen because it is trying to attract consultants to spearhead the project.