The chief executive of a Black Country council is attending a £5,000 self-awareness training course in Germany and Florida.
It will teach her to become “more likeable and able to like herself”.
Dr Allison Fraser, who is in charge of Sandwell Council, was today at the centre of a row after signing up to the Avatar Professional Course at taxpayers’ expense.
The Avatar website claims the course teaches people how to become “more real, authentic”, to “protect themselves against the abrasions of the world” and “gain a connection with the undefined self”. It also teaches its students how to “obtain the keys to successfully operate in the world”.
Avatar was established by Harry Palmer, a former missionary in the controversial Church of Scientology and it is claimed he devised the Avatar theory during a prolonged session in a flotation tank.
Dr Fraser has already taken a £2,400 course in Germany and is due to fly out to Florida in October for the remaining £2,500 worth of training.
She will be staying at the International Drive resort in Orlando, described as one of the most “dynamic vacation destinations” in the world.
Tony Mallam, chairman of Sandwell’s Sons of Rest social clubs, which are facing closure because of budget cuts, said: “It beggars belief. She should be concentrating on Sandwell, not flying round the world.”
Councillor Mary Docker, of the opposition Conservative group, added: “I looked on the website and I thought it was quite funny, it’s so Americanised.”
But Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas says it represents “good value for money”.
“It is certainly very important that she has access to these training courses,” he said. “This is considered to be one of the best courses around.”
25 Comments
why do we pay taxes, vote her out
Report abuse
As a Quarry Banker from Brierley Hill I have witnessed many of these “value for money” payments by Dudley Council, however in the present “cut back” decline in services in the Black Country what is she thinking of! It depresses me to think someone in her position hasn’t got the common sense to see this is wrong.
Report abuse
You can’t vote her out, she’s the Chief Executive. She doesn’t stand for election. Maybe she’ll learn how to defend the big shoebox with the wobbly window, aka The Public
Report abuse
it just gets better and better, pathetic
Report abuse
What a disgrace!
Hard Working Tax Payers Money, “they” don’t give an hoot.
This course is nothing to do with her job, if she doen’t like herself it’s not the Tax Payers problem, the money should be TAKEN OUT of her salary.
Report abuse
can someone tell me what planet bill thomas lives on if he thinks its good value for money i suggest he gets out and asks the tax paying public if she doesnt like herself i suggest she gets a job on nights
Report abuse
Wow.
I work for a local authority and if one of my staff wanted to go on a self awareness course, I’d have to point out that theres a mirror just inside the toilets!!! What an absolute waste of money. I’m so glad I don’t live in Sandwell as at least my Council Tax isn’t paying for this sham!
Report abuse
What a waste of money she;s on another planet.
Report abuse
Are these councils in competition with each other on who can waste the most money?
Report abuse
no worse than dudley council wasting all that money on pr dept there all at it
Report abuse
All aboard the gravy train! She could have saved the taxpayers money by just looking in the mirror and saying “I love myself”. What a crock of poo! (because I’m polite).
Report abuse
more likeable? dont think that will happen now!
Report abuse
if she wants to like her self buy a cpl of beers usually works for me .
Report abuse
dont think any 1 will like her now
Report abuse
I want the last 5 years Council tax back, then I can like myself and be more likeable to my neighbours
Report abuse
This is real winde-up.Again Sandwell takes the lead in “Useless Pursuits”-When are they going to be taught how to contrOl funds and give value for money–The Exhibition site that cost an enormous amount and to what use-When a it is taking funds that are need for community sevices AND MAINTAINENCE OF THE AREA-CRAZEY DAVE-
Report abuse
a course with $cientology links? BAD idea.
I think a little more exercise would boost her health and confidence…for free.
$cientology is a CULT!
Report abuse
delete me if you want…
$cientology is STILL a CULT!
Report abuse
I wonder who originally recommended this course?
Report abuse
scientology….scam of global proportions.
Report abuse
What an absolute disgrace when the local people are paying their council tax for this shambles of a council and whilst worried how they will afford to heat their homes she is jetting off round the world to “feel better about herself”.
If she has an image problem she shouldn’t even be a Chief Executive of Sandwell Council. Sheer self indulgence again by Sandwell executives.
After the fiasco of the pUBLIC and the enormous waste of money on that, don’t Sandwell ever learn the lessons.
Report abuse
she should make the next trip up and come over to the USA
with the exchange rate it seems a bostin deal and tell her bring some pork pies and scratchings for the natives !
Report abuse
How about giving 50 homeless people £100 each to have a good time instead?
I need to go on a self-awareness course to like myself more too. I just cant stand it when I look in the mirror.
Dave.
Report abuse
“This is considered to be one of the best courses around.” By whom? Avatar is a cult and the course is just expensive gibberish - see http://www.avatarcult.info/
Report abuse
ZeELK as you work for a local authority how do you know they are not doing the same they all seem to be on the gravy train the same as in government they all seem to spend their expenses the same
Report abuse