Around �125,000 of taxpayers' money is to be spent on the passage of the Olympic torch through one county on a single day next year, it was revealed today.
Cornwall Council is to spend �75,000 and affiliated quango the Cornwall Development Company (CDC) is stumping up �50,000 to spend on publicity and marketing when the torch begins its 70-day tour of Britain on May 19.
The news comes days after it was revealed that the CDC is to employ a 'Project Officer Olympic Torch Relay' advertised with a salary of �19,689 (pro rata �13,126) for an eight-month contract starting in October, the cost of which is included in the total.
One local MP branded the move by the Conservative/independent council administration as 'bonkers' at a time when it is slashing hundreds of jobs.
What do you think? Do you think councils should be spending this much money on such events? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk
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