You might not care how much it costs to run the borough council, but I do.

Especially when it comes to its communication team - four strong if I'm correct - I'd love to know how much it costs... and what its staff do for their money.

Rumour has it that they will be moving back to a new office at borough council HQ by December; this will be in the new look WLBC offices which have been gutted during lockdown with specialist contractors working there for around three weeks on the project removing asbestos.

I've been trying to find how much that all cost for the last few months along with several other key questions.

Number one has been the amount of money the council is losing on its decision to buy Wheatsheaf Walk: there are now five empty shops which are on offer at £500 a week - one trader was offered a discount of £150 a week to open there but refused, opening a market stall instead.

At a conservative estimate I reckon the council is losing c£10,000 a month; I've been like a dog with a bone with this sad tale with one council PR man insisting he is 'getting back to me' with a statement: fat chance Mr. B!

The original intention was to 'pay' for the purchase with profits from car parking - and we all know what's happened there...

Which leads me to another pertinent question: how much is the council losing every week on free car parking?

Question three (still unanswered despite a long chat with a new face on the team, an excitable young lady who again promised to get an answer for me eight weeks ago) - the cost of the new look Wheatsheaf Walk car park. It's been spruced up with new safety markings and more than just a lick of white paint.

Last but not least (and the inspiration for this story) why did the borough logo need a redesign - and how much has it cost?

Don't watch this space...

As a former press officer with two police forces and a government department, the essence of good PR is the provision of timely and accurate information. I don't expect this post to make one iota of difference but you never know, I might be in for a pleasant surprise.

So perhaps you should watch this space!

Almost forgot - how much did it cost to close Chapel Gallery? All five staff made redundant recently I believe

RB