Council goes to the [s]dogs[/s] hamsters

[Gob]

A council blew taxpayers' money organising a course in how to look after hamsters - then were forced to cancel it because no-one signed up to go.



Northamptonshire County Council was planning on running a two-hour adult learning session which was titled 'Meeting The Welfare Needs of Hamsters'. The evening course led by rodent expert Sophie Hacking was designed to teach pupils how to feed their pet 'a balanced diet' and assess their 'social needs'. The session, which would have cost £5.90 to attend, was due to go ahead on March 4 but has now been scrapped.

In the advert, the council said the event had been designed to help owners 'evaluate the extent to which different types of housing meet the needs of hamsters'. It also helpfully pointed out that 'no existing knowledge or qualifications will be assumed.' Today local residents, campaigners and politicians criticised the authority for wasting resources as they try and slash budgets by £128million over the next five years.
The council hurriedly pulled adverts for the course off their website today after the media phoned up to ask about why they were spending money on it.

Robert Oxley, campaign director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: 'The council have got better things to do than worry about the welfare of hamsters. 'It’s absurd that the council is wasting taxpayers’ money on talking about hamster housing and social needs when families struggle with their own household bills. 'Last I checked there wasn’t an urgent shortage of hamster wheels in Northampton so maybe the council should rethink its priorities.' Labour councillor Mary Butcher, who represents the Oakley ward in Northampton, said. 'That is absolutely ridiculous, I can’t believe they would spend money on that and that they could be so frivolous. 'Why can’t people just buy a book to find out how to look after their hamster. 'Why are they wasting money like this when we are trying to save the children services and save domestic violence refuges across the county.'

[rubato]

Not really a story unless you tell us how much it cost them. It was cancelled more than a month in advance, can't have lost more than a nominal amount.

Yrs,
Rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

I would think it cost nothing as they were charging for the session.

The session, which would have cost £5.90 to attend,

I hope that would cover all expenses.