Notts: Figures reveal county’s council and police employ 45 PR staff despite cuts to ‘essential’ services

The figures, which were obtained as part of an investigation into UK public sectors by Press Gazette, confirmed that Notts County Council employ 30 PR staff and Notts Police employ 15.

Andy Silvester, campaign director, branded the figures ‘ludicrous’ and said that the council and Notts Police needed to ‘seriously reassess their spending priorities.’

He added: “Taxpayers will be furious that their council tax is funding an army of spin doctors rather than essential services, at a time when we’re trying to find necessary savings and some of those on the front-line are feeling the pinch.”

Both Notts County Council and Notts Police have defended the findings.

Martin Done, service director for communications and marketing at Notts Council, said: “The figure that we supplied to Press Gazette covered the full range of communication staff, including media, digital, internal communications and consultation. Other authorities supplied only the figure for media officers, so the picture presented is skewed.”

“We are committed to making sure that communications activity delivers far more than it costs and represents excellent value for money for residents.”

Donna Jordan, head of corporate communication at Notts Police, said: “Our PR staff have helped to trace missing people, reunite stolen property with its owners, appeal for witnesses and bring offenders to justice by sharing officers’ work with hundreds of thousands of people through the press, the Force’s website and social media.”

“Notts Police believes being open and transparent about the service it provides is key to improving the public’s confidence in its work, which is why the Force employs a team of communications experts to support officers in their work and enable them to reach out to the public.”

“The team also reach out to thousands of local people at community events each year and lead campaigns that encourage residents to think about how their behaviour could help keep out criminals and make our county a safer place to live.”