COMPETITIVE tendering was at the centre of a row after a council admitted it was "absolutely pathetic" at buying goods and services from local firms. Medway Council's decision to have a book promoting local business produced in Surrey and printed in Cheshire provoked outrage from the business community.

The council commissioned the glossy 200-page Medway Business Directory 2002/3 from Burrows Communications in Wallington. It was printed at its plant in Macclesfield. At least 1,000 copies were produced, as well as a CD-Rom version.

It is not the first time this sort of row has erupted. A similar publication produced three years ago was also printed outside the county and stirred up controversy. Ironically, the publication was launched at the council-sponsored Medway Better Business Exhibition aimed at stimulating local firms and showing that Medway is a great place to do business.

Tracey Manley, chief executive of Medway Chamber of Commerce, was furious that a local firm had not been used. She said: "It's diabolical. If they are going to promote Medway, they should buy from Medway. On Medway City Estate, there are 13 printing establishments. I'm very displeased."

Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for regeneration and renewal, said the council was obliged by local government rules to seek competitive tenders. While she was sure there was a local company that could have done the job, this rule often meant using sources outside the county to supply council needs.

"It was a specialist consultancy that worked on this project," she said. "They've done a very good job. They in turn have their own printing arrangements and I would imagine that is the answer."

She said: "It' s unfortunate and I'm sorry that it isn't printed locally but it's part of a package." But she acknowledged that the council should give more work to local businesses. "At the moment, it's absolutely pathetic how many local businesses we use and I can't justify that," said Cllr Chitty.

She would be calling for an inquiry into the whole issue. While the council was tied to competitive tender rules "that doesn't mean we can't look at trying to improve the opportunities for local business to work on some of these council projects but it's not half as easy as it sounds".