A meeting to announce thew Labour Cabinet members in Southwark has been dubbed the most expensive council meeting ever – after costing taxpayers more than £400 a minute.
On Wednesday 11 June Southwark Council held it’s annual constitutional meeting. The £12,500 meeting used chairs, tables and curtains hired in especially for the occasion, but only lasted a total of 30 minutes from start to finish. It means every minute of the meeting will have cost the council over £416.
As a Lib Dem councillor I tried fighting the annual Mayor Making and Constitutional Meeting begin separated out. But Labour refused. This is especially bizarre when Southwark Labour keep telling us how tight money is but then blow £12,000 in 30 minutes.
This is an appalling start to the new four year term they lead the council.
Think what Southwark Council could have done with £12,000. In East Dulwich it could have provided the double glazing, currently being refused, to a council home or two benefiting tenants for several decades to come.
What do you think the council should have spent this £12,000 on?
PS. I was delayed due to child care arrangements and because it was over so quickly didn’t make it in time. I hadn’t realised it would be such a race to attend!
£12,500 – is this some kind of joke? What a disgraceful waste of money. I’d like to see it being spent on clearing up the Borough’s streets and increasing litter-picking teams.