Salford City Council have come under fire from opposition Conservatives after it emerged that Labour Council bosses have spent £100000 of taxpayers’ money on “bonding sessions” at hotels.
Graham Compton, Conservative Councillor for Worsley ward, who uncovered the spendings, said:
“I meet clients for my sportswear business at the Novotel and have regularly seen Salford council’s name on the board at reception indicating who’s booked a room. When I asked how much it cost, I was horrified to hear that it was £30 a head with a splendid buffet lunch thrown in. I then asked the council what these bookings were for and was told that they were ‘bonding sessions’.”
“Quite why so many departments need to bond is beyond me, but it really annoys me that directly opposite the Novotel is Worsley Court House, council-owned and a perfectly good facility that would cost an awful lot less. These sessions cost the Salford ratepayer a massive £100,000 in the last financial year, money that could have been put to better use.”
“I think this is an insult to the public and it is about time the council explained exactly why they have to go to all this expense.”
