A TOP council official who came under fire over a two-day conference held at a castle has defended the event.
More than £4,000 of taxpayers' money was spent sending 26 councillors and several officers to Farnham Castle for two days and one night – a move described as "staggering" by opposition councillors and "astounding" by a constituent.
But in response to a letter of complaint from a member of the public, David McNulty, chief executive of Surrey County Council (SCC), said it was an appropriate use of public money.
"I believe that councillors and staff at SCC are continually focused on value for money," he said.
"I was at the workshop. I am satisfied that it was the least expensive way of delivering the type of workshop that was required.
"I agree with the leader [David Hodge] that it was an appropriate venue in Surrey."
Gerald Harvard, who questioned Mr McNulty in an e-mail, asked: "What steps will SCC be taking to ensure, once and for all, that councillors and staff stop boarding the gravy train and sticking their snouts in the trough when the train stops?"
Opposition councillors said the conference – and the defence of it – showed those in charge at County Hall were "out of touch".
"It's quite staggering when you look at the situation when they're about to put up council tax," said Lib Dem county councillor John Orrick.
"There are any number of areas £4,000 could have been better spent. It just seems remarkably ill-conceived and short-sighted."
Earlier this month SCC deputy leader Peter Martin defended the castle trip by saying large private firms hold similar away days.
But Mr Orrick said: "Private companies make money by persuading people to buy their products; councils just take it.
"It's not their money; they haven't had to earn it. We have a duty to provide excellent services and value, and to not do so is almost a dereliction of duty."
In another letter sent to this newspaper this week, an anonymous person claiming to be the brother-in-law of one of the councillors at the castle conference alleged it was more of a "posh jolly" than a work-related function.
Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, recently published a list of 50 ways to save money in local government.
The list of suggestions included cancelling "away days" and scrapping the role of chief executive.
How David McNulty responded Thank you for your e-mail about the workshop at Farnham. Intensive workshops with a very focussed agenda are a recognised way of enabling organisations to develop their approach on complex issues. The scale of the challenges facing us make it more important than ever that time is invested in ensuring we have the most effective approach to delivering our growing responsibilities. The ideas that came out of this very intensive workshop are already delivering savings and benefits to residents that go way beyond the cost of the workshop itself. Your comments about lots of empty space at County Hall are incorrect. I believe that councillors and staff at Surrey County Council are continually focussed on value for money, which is why we have made such strong efficiency savings over recent years. You will note that external auditors agree with my view. about our relentless focus on becoming more efficient. and better value for money. Yes, I was at the workshop. I am satisfied that it was the least expensive way of delivering the type of workshop that was required. I agreed with the leader that it was an appropriate venue in Surrey. Best wishes. David McNulty Chief executive Surrey County Council