EXCLUSIVE: Tax payers not responsible for funding “bleeding obvious” social media training, says councillor

Bournemouth central councillor Mike Greene has hit back at BCP for using taxpayers to fund social media training for fellow councillors. 

Cllr Greene told Buzz News: “Really, should it be down to the local tax payer to fund, what for most people, should be bleeding obvious?

“If you’re using social media, it doesn’t matter if you’re a councillor or not – don’t post offensive articles on there.”

He continued: “I honestly don’t think that I need to be trained to tell me to do something that I should be doing in any case.

BUZZ EXCLUSIVE: @BCPCouncil Councillor Mike Greene has hit back at BCP for using taxpayers money to fund social media training for fellow councillors. Here’s what he had to say when BUzz spoke to him this morning: pic.twitter.com/mz0QX48NUo

— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 20, 2020

“It should be very, very obvious to individuals.”

Cllr Greene went on to express that he does not believe these sessions should be funded by taxpayers.

“I honestly don’t think it should be down to the taxpayer to have to pick up the bill for teaching people that they need to be responsible, particularly people who are being paid out of the public purse to do so.”

In a statement to Buzz News, the TaxPayers’ Alliance called on the council to provide better frontline services with the use of tax money.

Harry Fone, Grassroots Campaign Manager at TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “With the tax burden at a 50 year high and many people struggling to pay their council tax bills, this is far from the best use of taxpayers’ money.

“In future, the council must focus its resources on eradicating wasteful spending and providing the best frontline services possible.”