Carmarthenshire County Council have come under criticism after figures released by the taxpayers alliance showed the council had spent over £1M in public money on self promotion over the last year. At a time when householders are struggling to cope financially Adam Price MP and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM have questioned the spending which is the fourth highest by any council in Wales.

Adam Price MP said: "Compared to the £260,000 spent by Blaenau Gwent Council the £1.105M Carmarthenshire spent seems excessive, especially when you factor in the way many people are struggling to make ends meet. With many of my constituents having lost their jobs and have been making difficult choices between buying food and paying for heating and I am sure this money could have been put to better use."

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM added: "We have heard that the council are unhappy with their settlement from the Assembly, even though it is one of the highest increases in Wales, and yet £1M was spent over the last year on publicity. I am sure that money could have been spent far more responsibly on a range of priorities such as social services or education."

Plaid Council Group Leader Peter Hughes Griffiths said: "We are being asked in all our Scrutiny Committees to find savings so that we can keep our services going, this is certainly an area the council could save at least half a million ponds which will go a very long way to avoid cuts in so many areas within Carmarthenshire County Council."