As details of the cost to the Council of the Lord Mayor's return form China have emerged, former Lord Mayor and current Deputy Lord Mayor Coun. Brian Watson has raised concerns around the cost to the local taxpayer.

Coun. Watson has questioned whether the city should have paid in excess of £6,000, allowing the Lord Mayor and his support officer to return Business Class rather than wait for another available flight. Upon raising the question, the Council considered it had a duty of care to bring back the Lord Mayor earlier.

Coun Brian Watson said:

"I fully support the Lord Mayor visiting China to promote York. But the trip was meant to be at no cost to the city.

"What I can't understand is why did a duty of care issue arise when he was being looked after and no risk existed both to himself or anyone else. If anything there was a greater risk being flown back!
"As this was an externally funded visit, it is hard to believe that when on one hand the Council can see the pensioners of the city have their Christmas Cheer annual party reduced from 400 to 200 participants, they can then find the best part of £7,000 to bring back the Lord Mayor when there are procedures in place to cover situations when the Lord Mayor is unavailable".