Bromyard councillor apologises over backwards D project outburst

Coun Gill Churchill said the cost of new signs and artwork in the town centre was "astronomical" and felt as though Bromyard and Winslow Town Council had been blackmailed.

She has since apologised for the outburst, saying the use of the word "blackmail" was "completely inappropriate" but is still concerned over the high costs of the project.

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Documents show the town council has forked out more than £42,000 for 15 new tourist signs to be made and installed.

When debating whether to approve the final invoices of the £90,000 Great Place to Visit project, funded by the central government, Coun Gill Churchill sighed and said: "I know the money was there, and I know we were supposed to consult with whoever we were, but the numbers on there are astronomical."

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But in a statement on Friday, she retracted the comment made at a meeting on Monday.

Coun Churchill said: “Reflecting upon my comments at the extraordinary council meeting of September 26, I realise that my use of the word 'blackmail' was completely inappropriate.

"I wish to retract it and I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.

"While my concern about the cost remains, I accept that they had been previously signed off and agreed and that the proper procurement processes have been followed."

The monthly food market in Bromyard's Market Square has been a success, the town council says (Image: Newsquest)

The town council voted in favour of paying £1,500 to Foodscapes, of Birmingham, for running the monthly market, as well as £22,477.20 to Printed Banners & Signs Ltd, of Malvern, for making tourist signs for the town centre and another £19,800 to JMS Roofing & Building Ltd, of Birmingham, to install them.

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There was also £4,347 paid to Seven 9 Signs, also of Birmingham, for signwriting and artwork, with murals appearing in the subway under the A44 Bromyard bypass, the wall of the leisure centre in Cruxwell Street and the Queen's Arms alleyway.

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Coun Mark Franklin said the town council had no choice but to pay the invoices, and if they were not paid by the end of September, the Government money would have to be returned and the bills would have to be paid from the council's own funds.

Charlene Johnson wore a dunce hat, with a backwards D, to a Bromyard and Winslow Town Council meeting after a backlash over branding (Image: Newsquest)

There has also been criticism from locals over the lack of consultation on the Great Places to Visit project, but Rose Regeneration, which is involved in the bid, said it had consulted more than it was required to by the funding guidelines.

The backwards D in Bromyard had to be abandoned on primary branding after a backlash, but it was retained for other uses such as merchandise.

Guidelines also stipulated what the money could and could not be spent on, with a focus on sprucing the town up and enticing tourists.

Once plans were drawn up by the project team, which include a revamped civic garden, new signage for visitors around the town and more artwork, they were presented to the public.

A monthly food market has also been launched, which the town council says is successful.