ONE of the first actions being taken by the trust looking after Glasgow's culture and leisure facilities is to hire a £52,000-a-year publicity officer.

ONE of the first actions being taken by the trust looking after Glasgow's culture and leisure facilities is to hire a £52,000-a-year publicity officer.

A hunt has been launched for "a media manager" for Culture and Sport Glasgow, the charitable trust that came into existence last week.

However, critics fear the new employee, who will be funded directly by Glasgow City Council, will spend his or her time "burying bad news".

The council has defended the creation of the job, saying it is a key post that will ensure the public is kept informed about all aspects of the city's museums, galleries and sport centres.

The news comes as nearly 2500 staff employed by Glasgow City Council's culture and leisure services division prepare to transfer to the new trust next week.

Last month the Evening Times reported how the trust will meet and make decisions behind closed doors, before picking which news outlets to provide with information.

According to the newspaper advert, the job, which comes with a salary of "up to £51,952", will ideally be filled by someone with the "enthusiasm and energy to ensure a positive media profile for Culture and Sport in Glasgow".

Councillor John Mason said the job raised concerns about the direction of the new organisation.

He said: "This is a very worrying first step for the trust to take.

"I fear this post will be all about spin - putting out the good news stories and hiding the bad ones.

"The truth may be very difficult to find, especially as this organisation will be outwith city council control.

"Dividing the council into different organisations like this will end up being very expensive. Our culture and leisure services did perfectly well under council control."

The council currently has at least eight staff who handle any press inquiries.

A spokesman for Culture and Sport Glasgow insisted its new media manager would play an important role in communicating with the public.

He said: "As a council department, communication was carried out by the council's media team.

"With the establishment of the new company, the responsibility has, like many other formerly shared services, transferred to the new body."