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UK councils start public relations campaign
Councils have launched a poster campaign to remind voters of the roles they perform, including clearing vomit and dog mess from the streets.
- The Daily Telegraph
- Published: 23:41 June 29, 2008
London: Councils have launched a poster campaign to remind voters of the roles they perform, including clearing vomit and dog mess from the streets.
The posters are among a series being given to councils in a bid to counter what the Local Government Association (LGA) said was an unfairly poor public reputation.
Research has found residents are increasingly satisfied with many local services but are not aware that they are provided by the same body that deals with rubbish collections.
The LGA hopes the stark pictures will help educate the public about what their council tax is spent on - including clearing up after binge drinkers and antisocial pet owners.
Part of the role
Its own survey found most people did not realise dog wardens, swimming lessons, tourism promotion or restaurant food safety were all part of the local authority's role.
Most wrongly thought the police and hospitals were under town hall control.
LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton said: "Most people just think that the council collects the bins and they haven't the faintest clue of the vast range of services that town halls provide."
"From cradle to grave, councils provide over 800 services to improve people's lives and help them get safe and sound through the day."
"The council makes sure you don't get food poisoning when you go to a fancy restaurant, that your ears don't go septic when you get them pierced, that there isn't vomit on the streets after drunken high jinx at the weekend."
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