This was the original story from the front page of Perthshire Business 9th March 2005.

The council has not yet disclosed which company forced the deadline change.

Outrage at Perth and Kinross Council

Local design agencies in Perthshire are outraged that the contract to produce the Perthshire G8 Publication was awarded to a company from outside the area. The purpose of the publication is to showcase Perthshire during the G8. Following 3 articles in the Dundee Courier. An irregularity in the tendering process is emerging. The deadline for the tender was pushed back by a week to allow one of the tendering companies to complete their bid for the project. The council is yet to clarify whether or not the company that won the contract was the same company that caused the extension to the deadline.

A council spokesman said: "Perth and Kinross council strongly rebuts any suggestion that decisions to allocate design and marketing projects are made on the basis of anything other than a clear, rigorous and transparent procurement process." He added: "The council is well aware that creative and talented people live and work in Perth and Kinross and always seeks to ensure that local companies are afforded an opportunity to submit proposals for key projects. However, the council is legally required to ensure that it secures value for money and this means that for some projects the skills talent and expertise of those who happen to be located outwith Perthshire are utilised."

Local graphic designers immediately disputed the spokesman's statement. The council spokesman's comments are a slur on the abilities of the local design companies."There are a number of designers living and working locally with experience of national and international design projects. Also the Perthshire G8 project was apparently the first local invitation to tender in 2 years. Previously the Logo for Perthshire rebranding was not tendered locally. In addition a tender for print and design (Council Corporate Publications 2002) was only offered to tender with companies in Glasgow, Paisley and Edinburgh. Both the website for G8 Summit (perthshireg8.com) and Perthshire (perthshire.com) were tendered with four Glasgow companies in 2004. The evidence speaks for itself.

Last year council chief executive Bernadette Malone announced £500,000 to be spent on a new brand identity rebranding of Perthshire as Perthshire. To spend £500,000 locally on graphic design and new media would enable the Perthshire design businesses to compete on a national level. Creating employment, opportunities and numerous spin off benefits to the area.

Original story from the front page of Perthshire Business