The borough council has been blasted for spending taxpayers' cash to change its logo.
New Council logo a 'Waste of Money'
Critics have said it's unnecessary and a waste of money. It has also been criticised for trying to sneak through the changes.
Eastbourne Borough Council did not officially announce it was changing the logo on all of its letterheads, buildings and vehicles.
But this week, when questioned, it admitted the changes were imminent. By April, all the council's new stationery will feature the new logo.
A spokeman said the council paid £195 for the design and estimates that it will cost around £1,000 to introduce the new logo.
Cllr Maurice Skilton said, 'I think it's a total waste of money.
'They have done it very secretly. I knew nothing about it and it has never been discussed in any meetings.
'There is no need for it at all, so why have they bothered to change? Especially when you consider money is so tight at the moment.
'There are far more important things to spend money on than changing a logo.'
An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman said, 'The cost for the design of the new logo was £195.
'Additional costs for the design of stationery and standardised literature, for which we have not yet been fully invoiced, will still keep the total cost of introduction of the new logo to below £1,000.
'Because of council office moves and the introduction of our new Customer Contact Centre, a number of our existing forms and stationery would have required updating to new addresses so by phasing in the new logo along with the office moves, we have been able to ensure that we co-ordinate updates whilst depleting our existing stocks of stationery.
'Therefore no additional costs should have been incurred by the transfer of our stationery to a new design.
'Vehicles that have joined the council's fleet during the past six or so months are still awaiting livery which will be done in the new financial year once we start to phase in the new logo.
'Other signage and elements of the logo's use will only be replaced as and when the need for maintenance, repair or reprinting arises.'
Cllr David Tutt said, 'It's been done very much by stealth.
'It was something that was put to us last year but we said no because it would cost too much and we were not sure of the benefits.
'The council should be concentrating on providing the best possible services rather than looking at things like this.'
The design has been provided by Eastbourne company LDA Design, based in Little Chelsea.
Gary Lloyd, creative director at LDA, said, 'We kept our prices to a minimum because we knew we were working to a tight budget and as a local company we were delighted to be involved in the project.
'Eastbourne is evolving and I think it's good for the town to be looking forward and to have a fresh new look.'
Source:
Eastbourne Today
