'Lavish, luxurious, exquisite' — Cosla chooses five-star Fairmont St Andrews for its conference on public spending cuts
Councils in Tayside and Fife are split over sending delegates to a conference in a luxury Scottish hotel from today to discuss spending constraints.
- By Andrew Argo
- Published in the Courier : 16.02.12
- Published online : 16.02.12 @ 09.47am
Perth and Kinross Council is sending its chief and depute chief executive to the two-day Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' (Cosla) gathering at the Fairmont St Andrews, at a cost of nearly £800.
Angus Council is sending Councillor Rob Murray for the duration and Councillor Helen Oswald on Friday only.
However, the Dundee City and Fife councils are not sending anyone.
The theme of the conference is ''great expectations'' and how to balance all the demands being put on authorities with falling budgets.
Perth and Kinross defended its attendance, saying: ''This is an important event nationally where delegates will hear the First Minister, other senior politicians and civil servants, and where they will have the opportunity to discuss and debate a number of significant challenges facing local government over the next few years.''
Angus councillor Mr Murray said: ''I am vice-president of Cosla and that is the main reason for me going. It is the major conference of Cosla in the year and we receive addresses and speeches from a number of the key people in Scotland.''
He continued: ''It is an opportunity for us to hear their views and for people in local government to explain what they are doing to progress against the backcloth of spending cuts.''
The event costs £395 per person in accommodation.
Aberdeenshire Council confirmed it would be sending six people, two of whom will be staying an extra night at an additional cost of £145 each — bringing the total bill to £2,660.
Aberdeen City Council said the final numbers for the annual conference had not been confirmed, but it would be sending at least three people. This will put the cost of the trip at a minimum of £1,185, meaning the two north-east councils will shell out £3,845 for the conference.
Councillor Ian Yuill, who will be attending the event, said: ''As long as we are members of Cosla, it is important that we attend this event.
''We are there flying the flag for Aberdeen. It is an opportunity to lobby on behalf of the city council. I take spending public money very seriously.''
A Cosla spokesman said every local authority in Scotland would be represented.
He said: ''It is a shorter conference this year to recognise the external factors that we are all now operating within. Every organisation worth its salt has annual conference but ours seems to attract more criticism than many.''
Fairmont St Andrews boasts that "from lavish rooms to luxurious spa, world class golf to exquisite dining, our five star attention to detail is unsurpassed."
Emma Boon of the Taxpayers' Alliance said: ''It is highly inappropriate for councils to send councillors and officials to a five-star hotel to discuss spending cuts.
''This sort of behaviour shows how out of touch they are with taxpayers and the hardships they are facing. It is completely inappropriate and unnecessary to surround yourself in luxury in an exclusive setting to find ways of saving money.''
10.28am - 16.02.2012 gnasher - d, angus Report This
They don't care!!!
10.55am - 16.02.2012 Ian - Perth, UK Report This
"This sort of behaviour shows how out of touch they are with taxpayers and the hardships they are facing. It is completely inappropriate and unnecessary to surround yourself in luxury in an exclusive setting to find ways of saving money.'' This should be pased on to anyone with an email account.
11.12am - 16.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
Could understand if it was an international conference as our local councils when they issue are n't we doing well statistics think global so would want to present such a luxury backdrop as proof that those they serve think they're worthy of it For locals is n't austerity and prudence the buzzwords?
12.11pm - 16.02.2012 Fiona McClymont - Craigton of Monikie, Scotland Report This
Democracy? It appears local & national level 'politicians' have no regard even for public perception of how they spend OUR money. This is unacceptable - good business's & other orgs. set much lower 'expenses' - time to set stricter limits. If THEY need luxury - they should pay their own bills!
12.43pm - 16.02.2012 Fiona - Dundee, UK Report This
Not 'every local authority in Scotland' is represented if Dundee and Fife aren't sending anyone? What's wrong with using some of the council buildings or using 21st century technology for video conferencing. If they all spent more time doing their jobs we might be closer to getting out of the mire!!
12.46pm - 16.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Whenever the Taxdodgers Alliance gets involved, I start to look more favourably on their "victims" case. The venue is a bit of an own goal considering the economic climate but, in the big picture, the costs are tiny. Do you think the aforementioned Alliance hold their conferences in a gang hut :)
01.33pm - 16.02.2012 Kim Gibson - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Unbelievable!!! How on earth can they get away with this? Who decides on the venue? Have it in The Marryatt or Caird Hall, or any other council's hall? Lots of lovely, more affordable B & B's in easy reach. They are only doing the job they are well paid for after all! Seriously!!!
03.18pm - 16.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
@ Stuart it's no bad to take a wider view and whilst in the big picture the costs may be tiny in the even bigger picture my council tells me they are cutting the cloth according to their means.Did feel a wee bit sorry for the COSLA spokesperon hurt 'we seem to attract more critism.'or was he baffled
04.49pm - 16.02.2012 Fiona McClymont - Craigton of Monikie, Scotland Report This
Still seething! Last year as a 'treat' I had afternoon tea at this hotel. I note that my Angus address is further away from the hotel than the Angus Councillor who is having a 'sleep over' at our expense. Why can't he drive home from a WORK commitment?Will we be paying for travel expenses too?
11.56pm - 16.02.2012 Colin M. - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Fiona, yes and, er, yes. This is what these people do. Jim Sillars makes the same point about Mr Salmond and the independence debate. These spongers get comfortable, get expenses, and forget why they are there.
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