Braintree Council is considering following in the footsteps of designer sportswear firm Nike by sporting a distinctive tick of approval on its new logo.

The council is looking to revamp its image by ditching the old-style logo with traditional Braintree crest in favour of a more modern version.

It is currently looking at design proposals, which could include the Nike-style tick to reflect quality and performance.

It also plans to introduce a new slogan "Making a Difference" to replace "Serving our Communities".

The aim is to portray a more dynamic, up-to-date image and give a better impression of what the council is about.

The new image could cost £11,000 to introduce over the next few years and has been branded a "waste of money".

When it was first mooted Cllr Peter Turner publicly criticised the idea as "frivolous" in the light of current spending cutbacks.

He argued the money would be better spent on services.

However, at Monday night's executive meeting members backed the new slogan and agreed to give further consideration to updating the logo.

Nigel McCrea, executive member for corporate quality and improvement, explained there had been a number of different slogans over the last decade and now was considered the time for "something a little more 21st century".

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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