Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that the Conservative controlled county council has doubled the amount spent on consultants over the past 5 years.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: ‘The more we probe the more it becomes apparent that the county council chucks our money down the drain – and is getting worse. In 2004-2005 it spent just under £2 million. In 2008-2009 the amount spent under “consultancy codes” is nearly £4 million. These figures exclude the strategic alliances like Herts Highways.

‘It really is time the council got a grip and concentrated on delivering core services.’

Notes

Extract from e-mail note to the Liberal Democrat Group from Herts County Council

The amount spent on consultancy codes by Hertfordshire County Council over
the last five financial years is as per the following table. These
excludes expenditure for services from Contractors like Mouchel Parkman
Services, Lambert Smith Hampton and Mace.

Financial Year
Amount
2004/2005
£1,931,307
2005/2006
£1,739,366
2006/2007
£2,055,239
2007/2008
£2,144,685
2008/2009
£3,811,890