COUNCIL officers should use more modern methods to advertise temporary road closures in Argyll and Bute, councillors have said.
One of the authority’s committees has agreed that officers should review event application costs for roads to be closed for events.
A councillor has also accused officers of charging for a traffic regulation order “to send a couple of emails” – a claim that an officer denied.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the authority’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, June 19.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) said: “This is a welcome step forward. The application of TTROs in the authority over the last few years has been a bit more rigorous than maybe in the past.
“I feel we are now in a more formal process, and formality needs to be welcomed, but we need to find a balance between worthwhile events that our community want, and the process they need to go through and the costs involved.
“We have had a road race in Helensburgh for over 40 years and the requirement has been to advertise in the local newspaper at a cost of £2,000.
“The circulation of the Helensburgh Advertiser is [circa] 1,500, so it is completely disproportionate to the readership.
“If we want to get our message across, we need to use more modern methods, which could be social media and a variety of engagements, if we need to advertise potential road closures.”
Hugh O’Neill, the council’s network and standards manager, responded: “This needs national perspective across the board, because I am sure we are not the only local authority which has these challenges.
“Time has moved on since the legislation was put in place regarding newspaper advertising, and we would like to bring it in line with the times. But we must adhere to the relevant legislation.”
Councillor Peter Wallace (Conservative, Isle of Bute) then said: “I have had feedback locally about the Highland Games, and the amount of money they are spending.
“They pay the low rate because it is every year, but it is volunteers who put out the cones and provide people on the ground.
“They are paying the council to send a couple of emails. It does not seem like the fee represents the amount of work involved. Will there be consideration given to what seems minimal work for recurring events?”
Mr O’Neill said: “We charge in line with other local authorities, and it is not a couple of emails. It is a lot of work which also needs to go through our legal team.
“It is a reasonable cost as far as I am concerned.”
