Public Sector: The Public Sector Week

The figure, published as part of Communities Secretary Eric Pickles' aim to make public all spending over £500, is part of an overall spend by the department of £314m.

Basildon Council has extended its contract for marketing and comms with Westminster City Council for an extra three years. This follows a European tender process and approval at the council's cabinet meeting. Westminster started working with the council in September 2008.

NHS Portsmouth is to raise public awareness of the city's community pharmacies. It has appointed Portsmouth-based freelancer Robin Lander Brinkley, along with Guerrilla Marketing. The scheme is being promoted through media relations, community engagement, outdoor and radio advertising and a week-long road show.

The Welsh Assembly Government spent more than £400,000 on public relations firms between April 2009 and March 2010, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. The Conservatives said the assembly spent vast sums 'blowing its own trumpet'.