I NOTE that the July meeting of the cabinet at Newport council will have before it a report proposing that Newport adopt a ‘strapline’ of ‘City of Democracy’. 

Now that’s all well and good but what is it and do we need it? Putting aside the question of is the council democratic, it costs about £100,000 to promote!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am all for promoting the city, but are there more urgent things to spend the cash on? 

Given that we are told continually that the council are short of money because of government austerity, it seems strange that suddenly £100k appears. 

Having read the report it seems this will involve giving a sort of motto for the town to work towards, having festivals and events on the theme, and economic engagement with people and the community. 

I thought all this sort of stuff was going on right now as part of the Labour council’s manifesto! What happened to the Newport motto ‘Getatable Newport’ (hundreds of leather writing cases were purchased with this on them)? 

Plenty of events occur annually and the idea that some communities need engagement in social and economic activity, is difficult to see just how to do it. 

I am wondering where this idea came from: it is hardly a democratic place and no doubt staff will be needed to arrange it all. 

Then of course there will be numerous visits and invitations and no doubt invitations for council hospitality. Sounds like a good little number to me. 

Does anyone in their right mind genuinely think Newport needs this promotion at considerable expense?

Jim Dyer 
Stockton Road 
Newport