We don't make this stuff up, honest!
In a reflection of how some people are using the credit crunch to justify their behaviour, a debt ridden council has wants to ban its staff from using toasters and kettles to save money on its multi-million pound electricity bill!
Aberdeen City Council (which is £50million in the red) is considering a blanket ban on 'unauthorised' electrical appliances as part of a new financial rescue plan.
It is also considering its staff on training courses to learn to drive more efficiently in an effort to curb its £1.5million annual diesel bill.
Mind you nothing from this council should surprise us as earlier this year, it revealed that it’s temporary chief executive, Bob Coomber, a financial expert from London, would earn £1,000 a day to sort out its money troubles!
Yes, because doing that is really going to help your £50 million debt…
The action plan was revealed in a report which shows the authority's fuel bill topped £10million last year, including £3.5million for gas and £5.8million for electricity.
Wow, they really must have loads of toasters and kettles…
Among the proposed measures are the 'removal of all non-council kettles, toasters, fridges, fan heaters, and other non-approved appliances from offices and establishments.'
Naturally, staff are unhappy at the prospect of having to go without toast, cups of tea and desk fans and claim the move will only serve to further depress their morale.
The council is also considering turning off safety lighting in some buildings and car parks during the night and at weekends, and ditching post-it notes in favour of scrap paper.
Belinda Miller, the council's head of economic and environmental sustainability, said:
'There is an expectation by staff, elected members and the public that reducing our waste of energy and other resources should be a priority.'
But Mike Middleton, a representative for the GMB union, warned there are not enough canteen facilities in all council buildings and banning such items may hit morale adding:
'Although we appreciate the need for efficiencies, there may be mixed messages that affect staff morale.'
Opposition Labour councillor Willie Young labelled the idea 'daft', adding: 'It will get people's backs up; you have to be practical.'
Indeed you do but when a Council that already owes £50 million, pays a guy £1,000 a day to sort out its fiances, you have to question its intelligence don’t you?
They should ban toasters all right; the toasters who run the council!
Have you heard of any equally stupid cost saving measures adopted by businesses or organizations?
Why not let us know in the comments?