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Edinburgh city council 'biggest spender on consultants'

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Published Date: 28 April 2008
EDINBURGH City Council has spent more than any other local authority on external consultants, it was reported today.
Figures released under Freedom of Information laws show Edinburgh spent £8.2 million on advisors in 2006/07.

North Lanarkshire was said to be the second-biggest spender at £7.1 million.

In total, Scotland's councils spent a record £67 million, a rise of 30 per cent on the previous year.

Edinburgh City Council finance convener Gordon Mackenzie was reported as defending the council's spending.

He was quoted as saying: "In Edinburgh we've had a number of large capital projects that have come on-stream and we've had to get in consultants for that.

"In addition I would argue that getting consultants in on the short term can actually save you money in the longer term because they're only there on the bill for the amount of time they do the job.

"If we brought somebody in longer term, that cost would be with us for the longer term so we're actually getting smarter about how we employ people or engage people to work for the council."




Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 April 2008 4:52 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:01:36
What does this mean?

The people pay some Union ape or other careerist know-nothing 100k plus expenses to "attract the best" compete with the "private sector" for "talent" and in the end they "don't know" so have to employ the private sector anyway?

It would seem like it. Next time you a knuckle dragging union ape with his monacle and top-hat claiming giving the thick a job is "social justice", please take some time out to remind him that elitism would save society a lot of money.
2

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:03:14
Emplying the best is elitism tisk-tisk. Give a monkey a 100k job = labour.

"I dinnae ken, help!" "It's me hooman rights to work in a jobs a dinnae ken how tae dae."
3

Auld Twa,

Edinburgh 28/04/2008 17:13:09
Wonder if the new council will be less inclined to splash out on consultants ?
4

Brian M,

Edinburgh 28/04/2008 18:43:54
"they're only there on the bill for the amount of time they do the job"

Thing is, many of them go from one council job to another. I know of one "consultant" who has effectively been "on the bill" at £50,000 pa for the past 5 years
5

,

28/04/2008 19:04:57
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
6

Finbarr Saunders,

28/04/2008 20:25:26
A more interesting FOI would be to ask how many of these so-called consultants are actually former senior council officers, who took advantage of an early retirement package and now do the same job for a huge consultancy fee, at the same time as they are receiving their Council pension and the interest from their tax-free lump sum.
7

Thomas the Tank,

Edinburgh 28/04/2008 20:35:22
And did the Ace Reporter think to ask Embra Cooncil how many of these 'Consultants'- working in either 'KooncilDirect' or one of their many shadowy quango spin-offs - TIE, WaterfrontEmbra, EDI and many others, are actually ex-senior members of staff, who've taken 'early retirement' then been hired back at more than their original salary? It's apparently a very effective (and well known) way to keep them quiet - nobody dumps on their own doorstep.
8

Thomas the Tank,

Edinburgh 28/04/2008 20:36:48
Aargh - Finbarr - you must have been reading my mind! Or you know the Kooncil tricks as well as I do.
9

Dr Egg,

Tramless Alternative Earth 28/04/2008 21:36:44
Aah, bless the Cooncil. What wise use of our money.
10

the watchfull eye,

28/04/2008 21:36:47
what about the guy who retired on the friday. let everyone throw a him a party, accepted leaving presents from everyone. knowing full well he was coming back in on the monday morning, as a consultant, on a higher salery scale. than he was on and for less hours, this is how the council operates.
and dont get me started on that bunch of arrogant parasites,at EBS better know as PINNACLE. they have now moved into waste management i hear and will no doubt set up shop, in there for evermore. they had a three year contract at EBS, but are still there after five years. (EASY MONEY) the council and some very seior managers really need brought to book on this one. this actually verges on the (CRIMINAL)or just plain (INSANITY)
11

thistle do,

here n' there 28/04/2008 21:51:24
Come on Scotsman/Evening News your investigative journos can have a field day here if they want. Long and multiple assigments to be found out.
12

the watchfull eye,

28/04/2008 22:57:12
11#
i agree with you it would be long overdue the EN and the SCOTSMAN used to be field leaders with this kind of news always breaking stories so come on hows about it lets do some real digging and find out whats really going on with all these consultants. councillors. and very highly placed senior managers. after all has it not been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. the gauntlet has been thrown E.N. WILL YOU PICK IT UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF EDINBURGH
13

Sarah B,

Edinburgh 28/04/2008 22:59:38
Of course, the other side of the coin could be that the morale in many Council departments is low; opportunities are limited nowadays (because there seem to be so many managers); so many less senior employees have already left (taking with them years of experience which is hard to replace), leading to higher workloads for those who remain; and payscales are low for many jobs compared with the private sector. Why would some Council employees want to stay?

My impression is that, in many departments, the best qualified staff have already left. What else can the Council do than to hire in the expertise which has just walked out the door?
14

Ard Righ,

The Rock Of Edinburgh 28/04/2008 23:11:36
"Edinburgh City Council has spent more than any other local authority on external consultants".
Total lack of vision, experience and efficient operation is the pre-requisite of seeking external opinion.

Introduce fee docking and sack 90% of council operatives.

15

truthsleuth,

29/04/2008 01:32:12
Consultant

One who borrows you watch to tell you the time.
16

Foresight,

By the Water of Leith 29/04/2008 08:31:32

Perhaps the Scotsman would be good enough to tell us how much NHS Scotland is paying to external consultants.
17

Doh,

29/04/2008 09:13:26
#5 MarioKart

I know you dont want to think about this but the report is referring to 2006/2007.

The LibDems didnt storm to victory amid a wave of public adulation until May 2007.

So the spending is wrt to the previous Labour administration.

You could try eating humble pie.
18

Voice of reason,

EDINBURGH 29/04/2008 11:52:34
So what if they do ??
19

,

29/04/2008 15:09:22
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
20

tomias,

Edinburgh 30/08/2008 16:26:36
Market forces

 

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