Council proposes ads in schools after bin lorries plan falls flat

Pupils would be targeted in bid to bring in cash

Council leaders are looking at advertising to pupils in schools after a plan to sell space on the side of bin lorries failed to take off.

Officials in Perth and Kinross have been trying to sell space on vehicles, buildings and roundabouts since 2016 but councillors were told yesterday “the market in this area just isn’t there” and the scheme’s projected income target is being cut.

Councillors reacted with surprise and concern as it emerged at a committee session that the shortfall could be made up by advertising in schools.

Barbara Renton, executive director of housing and environment, said: “We’ve been looking at any asset where we can sell the space.

“We’ve been quite successful in terms of roundabouts, but not so successful in terms of anything else, although we have been working with our schools and our head teachers about advertising within the school arena as well and whether that could bring in additional income.”

Two years ago, the strategic policy and resources committee unanimously agreed to look for advertising link-ups involving council assets.

It was thought the scheme could bring in £50,000 a year in “ethical advertising”.

Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey said the new schools proposal was “deeply concerning”.

He told the committee: “I’d like to pick up on the response around the opportunities for advertising in schools being explored. I assume that elected members will have oversight of that?”

After the meeting, he said: “As a parent, I already hear concerns from other parents about some existing commercial initiatives in our schools.

“Therefore, I wouldn’t want us to find ourselves in a position where this council sets a target for monetising the pupil audience through advertising sales.”

Committee vice-convener Peter Barrett, Liberal Democrats, told the committee: “Proposals for this sort of income generation will be tested first in a working group. It would then go to the appropriate committee for approval and for councillors to then take a decision on the matter.”

Ed Brooke, head of Edinburgh’s Leith Agency, said it would be acceptable if done in the right way.

As a parent, I already hear concerns from other parents about some existing commercial initiatives in our schools