A CHANGE in image for two council services will cost the local authority £30,000.

Swindon Contractors and Recreation Services merged a year ago and the council's cabinet committee last night approved the new name of Swindon Services. The council says it can justify the cost because it has already saved £576,000 by joining the two groups together.

Councillors at Wednesday night's meeting had very little comment to make about the name change or its cost to the borough.

Deputy leader Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) said: "I welcome the report."

Leader Sue Bates (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) simply said she had received a letter from local government union UNISON about the proposed changes.

"The only comment from UNISON was asking why the words on the logo had to be slanted. The letter just beats me!" she laughed.

Following this short discussion, the cabinet approved the new name. The final decision lies with the ratification committee at its meeting in a fortnight.

If the ratification committee gives the go-ahead, the council's lorries, stationery, letterheads and building signs will be changed at a cost of around £20,000. On top of this is the £10,000 needed for consultancy fees and immediate logo changes to some buildings.