COUNCIL officials have defended the continuing practice in Argyll and Bute of advertising temporary traffic orders in local newspapers.
Councillors from the administration and opposition have agreed that an alternative method should be found if possible, highlighting the cost of placing an advertisement.
But a council official said it was down to the Scottish Government to make changes to allow that to happen.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, December 18.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) said: “My question would be around advertising costs, and on what newspaper publications charge us, which we then pass on to event organisers.
“Do we still need to advertise in the same way? There was debate about the need to use the narrow list of publications, and I provided evidence to the committee of some local newspaper circulation figures, which are not high at all.
“Other councils seem to be able to use online advertising as a means of meeting statutory duty. Have we completely bottomed out that issue, or is there another way to do it? Is it something we have considered or are still exploring?”
Hugh O’Neill, the council’s network and standards manager, said: “We need to take the view that what we are doing is wholly legal. This is raised by the Scottish Government.
“If changes are made to legislation regarding advertising then we could look at it, but what we are doing now is above board. The advertising costs are challenging, but that needs to go through the Scottish Government.”
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) added: “I agree with Councillor Mulvaney. If there is another way around this, we need to find it.
“It is a huge cost and I agree that a lot of circulation figures of these newspapers have dropped dramatically.
“I speak to a lot of people out and about who do not even bother picking up the local paper any more, which surprises me, but maybe I am a traditionalist.”
