Yorkshire's local councils drop festive meal plans

Every local council and emergency service in the region has told the Yorkshire Post there are no plans to provide festive meals for members or staff at taxpayers' expense.

Hull Council had been considering holding a Christmas dinner for councillors and officers with local business representatives next month but the Lord Mayor has decided against it.

The leader of Hull Council's opposition Labour group, Stephen Brady, said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the decision (not to hold the Hull meal) and I think it's the correct one."

North Yorkshire County Council, which traditionally holds a Christmas lunch for council members and officers, said it is "unlikely" it will be providing a meal this year.

A spokeswoman said: "(The) council is currently reviewing its annual Christmas lunch for council members and chief officers. In the light of the current financial challenge it is unlikely there will be a Christmas lunch this year."

Hambleton Council will provide a few bottles of wine for councillors after a full council meeting.

A Hambleton Council spokeswoman confirmed its councillors will not have a Christmas meal and although officers attend individual department meals, they pay themselves.

She added: "Hambleton councillors have drinks after the last full council meeting which is paid for out of the chairman's budget – used for events throughout the year."

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that Bradford Council spent 3,568 on its Christmas meal in 2009, and that spending on refreshments at councils across the region increased by more than six per cent in 2009-10 on the previous year.

This prompted Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood to admit its meal is very unlikely to go ahead this year, and the Tory group said they would not attend even if it did take place.

Andrew Allison, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said it was "not a necessary expense".

Mr Allison, based in Hull, added: "No one objects to anyone having a Christmas meal but people have to pay for it."

Individual teams at councils such as North East Lincolnshire, Rotherham and Selby hold Christmas meals at their own expense.