Wymondham Town Council are advertising a new permanent job position whose key duties will be to “promote a positive image of the Town Council” and “maximise opportunities for positive public engagement with the Council”.

The new part-time permanent job, with a salary range of £30,559 - £33,366 a year, will replace an existing role that promoted the town centre as a shopping and tourist destination to help with footfall for high street businesses.

The job description’s apparent shift of focus from promoting the town to promoting the Town Council is likely to trigger a debate around spending priorities.

Councillors approved the measure having been dogged by a series of negative headlines in local newspapers over the past two years.

Stories have covered topics such as the decline of Wynterfest, chaotic resignation speeches and a mental health ‘red card’ system for meetings that even invited national newspaper attention.

The online job specification lists a key responsibility as ensuring “the proactive publication and promotion of the Town Council news to local media”.

Observers will be keeping a close eye on the recruitment process, after the council did not post the role on their website, Facebook page or the Norfolk Association of Local Councils.

Accessible YouTube streaming axed

The move comes after the Lib Dem controlled council also voted to stop streaming any of their sessions after "negative coverage" had "impacted councillors' wellbeing".

Streaming equipment had been bought in 2023 at a cost of £3,000 in order improve transparency and accessibility for residents unable to attend meetings physically.

The decision taken behind closed doors in April risks the council contravening its own disability pledge taken last January to "work to raise awareness of disability issues and access needs in the town" and is likely to attract the attention of local accessibility groups such as Wymondham Access Group.