Criticism has been levelled at Fife Council after thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money was lavished on award ceremonies in the last financial year.
The local authority is one of many pinpointed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance for its expenditure on tickets, accommodation, travel and catering for events aimed at rewarding council employees.
While some councils across the UK spent nothing, Glasgow City Council spent an incredible £83,000 hosting and attending award ceremonies the most in the country.
Even though Fife’s awards spending did not hit those heights, it emerged Fife Council attended and hosted the most ceremonies across the UK, racking up 34 for 2010/11.
That cost taxpayers in the region over £20,000, according to statistics gathered through freedom of information requests. The TaxPayers’ Alliance suggests the actual figure is likely to be higher still.
Despite pressure continuing to mount on local budgets, Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said UK councils spent at least £1.2 million on awards ceremonies last year, although he said this was almost certainly an underestimate as many councils were unable to divulge spending on certain events.
“Taxpayers will be staggered that councils facing significant pressure on their finances are spending thousands of pounds on back-patting award ceremonies,” he said. “Recognising staff who have done well doesn’t require this kind of extravagant spending.
“Some authorities have shown that they understand award ceremonies aren’t the right priority for money that is supposed to be spent on frontline services, but others need a reality check.”
The TaxPayers’ Alliance reveals that among the ceremonies attended by local councils were the Everything Happens Somewhere Awards 2010; Loo of the Year; the Sports Turf and Landscaping Awards; the British Parking Awards; the Magic Of Motown and the Structural Steelwork Awards, although it is understood Fife was not present at any of those more ‘unusual’ ceremonies.
It did, however, spend almost £2,400 to be represented at the Enterprise Final 2010, and £2,350 to be at the Scottish Transport Awards, with the latter expenditure made up of £325 travel costs and 16 tickets at £158 each.
Eighteen councils spent more than £12,000 in total to attend the Association of Public Sector Excellence awards in Manchester in 2010, and Fife spent almost £1,000 to be there with accommodation costing £587.84 and two tickets at £199 each.
At the other end of the scale, Fife spent £219 to be represented at the Green Apple Awards, which aim to reward councils who demonstrate environmental best practice, and £60 for a ticket for the Fife Excellence Awards in Glenrothes, while a number of other events had no cost attached.
Fife Council chief executive Ronnie Hinds told The Courier it is important to recognise good service, to help motivate staff and identify good practice.
“Fife Council’s staff work very hard to provide the best services we can for the people of Fife,” he said. “Many of the events listed were at no cost to us or held in Fife, although officers travelled to 11 award ceremonies where Fife was short-listed for best practice.
“We are monitoring the costs and will consider limiting them further. However, sometimes it’s important to pay more than lip service to a thank you.
“For example, we spent £5,000 on a number of receptions throughout the year for council employees who had reached 40 years in public service, and to congratulate firefighters with long service, commendations and bravery awards.”