There's no such thing as a free lunch, the adage goes, but it seems this is not always the case at the city council. Recently released figures show the authority is on track to spend at least £67k in the area of staff hospitality, and probably more.

This figure is a projected spend for the current year based on catering firms whose services exceed £5k each, for staff hospitality only, so does not take lower charges into account. Labour leader Coun. David Scott, who requested the figures, said he thought the figure was probably higher, and could even be nearer £100k. He said:

"Staff hospitality is one area we have looked at as part of our budget deliberations and one in which we have uncovered yet more waste by this council. With the smaller catering companies' services added to this, and money spent on hospitality that could have been attributed to non-hospitality budgets, I could easily see this being around £100k.

"The reality, which I believe staff will recognise, is this could be the difference between them losing a member of their team or that person being retained. There should never be a culture of using taxpayers' money in this way. I have attended meetings with officers before and been offered lunch, and declined it. It is not appropriate.

"Other residents who go out to work have to provide their own lunches so why should the council be any different. It's about time the Liberal Democrats starting being less liberal and profligate with our money. York residents deserve better and should not have to put up with the waste that is endemic in this council".

"It's also time for councillors to practise what they preach. There should be an end to buffets for councillors attending meetings, training events and before Full Council meetings. We have spent over £10k on food for councillors and that should stop too".

Coun. Scott said Labour's budget proposals would be finalised shortly and would cut back on council waste. A budget statement is expected on Monday.