Tower Hamlets Conservatives slam Labour for �3,000 'away day'

THE leader of the Opposition in Tower Hamlets has hit out at the council s cabinet members after they spent more than �3,000 on an overnight stay at a hotel down the road in Greenwich. Around 10 members of the new ruling Labour group, Chief Executive of

THE leader of the Opposition in Tower Hamlets has hit out at the council's cabinet members after they spent more than �3,000 on an overnight stay at a hotel down the road in Greenwich.

Around 10 members of the new ruling Labour group, Chief Executive of the council Kevan Collins and six corporate directors spent the day and night at the luxury Devonport House at a cost of �182 each.

Town Hall bosses insist the 'away day' on the weekend of June 4 gave members the chance to discuss the future budget which could see them having to scrape together �10m in savings.

But leader of Tower Hamlets Tory party, Peter Golds said: "On the one hand they are talking about savings but then on the other they are spending money on an away day. "They are shooting themselves in the foot.

"There must be so many buildings in Tower Hamlets they can use for just the day."

But a council spokeswoman said the event was particularly important during these "challenging times" and bosses had looked at places to stay in the borough to ensure "value for money".

She added: "It is vitally important that they meet to discuss the cabinet's priorities and the budget as soon as possible after a cabinet is formed.

"Due to members' work commitments and the pressing schedule of meetings it is extremely difficult for members and officers to meet unless they give up the time to do so over a weekend."

Last year Labour spent �2,500 on an `away day' at the four-star Chilston Park hotel in Maidstone.