FEES for hiring outside consultants to advise Worcestershire County Council could smash through the £1 million barrier yet again this year.

New figures have been published showing taxpayers have paid for £862,574 of consultancy costs so far in 2012/13, up to the start of February.

The figure already dwarfs the £757,773 spent in the whole of 2010/11, meaning the current financial year could be the third year in four the bill has topped £1 million. During a council debate, councillors warned officers to keep a tight rein on it.

Councillor Pam Davey, speaking during a meeting of the resources panel, said: “In the public mind there is a lack of clarity over what consultants do.

“The perception is that we retain people to be consultants, as opposed to ‘we need this expertise, who can we get in to help us with this’.

“Perhaps if that message was conveyed properly, we’d all understand it better.”

Councillor Terry Spencer said: “I must say I have trouble relating to some of these spending items and wonder why we can’t do the work ourselves.”

Most of the spending has come within the adult social care department, although consultants worked across the council.

It includes IT experts, children’s consultants and the likes of Rural Routes, which offers tree care, landscaping and fencing.

Fundi Solutions, which advises on new technology; Creative Options Consultancy, which offers assistance on arts policy and Go Travel Solutions, which helps with sustainable travel, are also on the list.

During the debate Michael Howard, the council’s strategic procurement manager, said: “Our expenditure in this area remains fairly low in comparison with many other organisations.

“Talking to people outside the council, they think we’ve got a very strong process. Be reassured we do all we can to control and monitor it.”

Coun David Thain, cabinet member for change, said: “This whole issue is under very tight scrutiny.”

Coun Nathan Desmond said: “I accept we have to use consultants and think the overall spend is relatively low given the size of the budget.”

In 2011/12 spending on consultants was £1.15 million, while in 2009/10 it was £1.3 million.

A further report is expected later this year to detail progress made in reducing the bill.