In a recently released Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking Conwy County Borough Council how much had been spent on marketing, communications, and advertising over the past two years, the figures disclosed were £419,334.99 for 2023/2024 and £319,889.28 for 2024/2025. This brings the total expenditure over the last two financial years to £739,224.27.
The release of these figures has sparked debate about the necessity of this level of spending and the efficiency of expenditure within local government.
This report comes at a time of increasing pressure on Conwy County Borough Council. Concerns have previously been raised over the unusable HGV depot in Mochdre, spending over £3 million so far under a contracted lease, despite the facility being unusable because the floor is too weak to support the vehicles.
There has also been scrutiny over high-cost childcare placements, with the council reportedly spending up to £1 million per year on the social care of a single child. At the same time, the authority has faced accusations of cutting services while increasing council tax, alongside rising expenditure on temporary accommodation.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy said:
“I have consistently called for fairer funding for Conwy County Borough Council so it can deliver the high standard of local services residents deserve, from education and housing to waste collection.
At a time of clear budget pressures and repeated council tax rises alongside reduced services, it is difficult to justify significant spending on marketing when those funds could be redirected towards frontline priorities, we have roads full of potholes and litter bins that don’t get emptied regularly, so priorities need to be looked at.
We need greater transparency from local government and real value for taxpayers’ money. Residents deserve to see their hard-earned contributions improving essential public services, not being diverted to non-essential expenditure.”
