Fife councillors spent almost £2,500 of council money on foreign trips in the nine months between September 2013 and September this year, it has emerged.
A freedom of information request by The Courier revealed Provost Jim Leishman spent the most in Fife with a total of £1,216.38 on civic trips to Belgium, Turkey and Germany, followed by £738.20 spent by East Neuk councillor Elizabeth Riches on trips to the North Sea Commission in France and Denmark.
Councillor Helen Law spent £307.90 on a trip to Trondheim, Norway, for the 25th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution, while Depute Provost Kay Morrison spent £229.88 on a trip to Grasse, France, for a twinning event.
The figures come as local authority expenditure remains under incredible pressure and Fife Council budgets face yet more multi-million-pound cuts.
Public spending watchdog the Taxpayers’ Alliance said, however, that the figures confirmed a pattern of greater financial prudence.
The survey of councils revealed some elected members even paid their own fares.
In September, for example, Councillor John Wincott went to Copenhagen in Denmark for a conference on district heating. The figures show this was at no cost to the council.
The Courier asked all of the Fife councillors listed to comment.
Fife Provost Jim Leishman said: “As the civic head of Fife Council the majority of my time on a daily basis is spent promoting and representing Fife and supporting all those who contribute to the quality of life in Fife.
“Whether that be playgroups, sports groups, local schools and local charities or the many businesses that provide the jobs and training locally, this is how I spend my normal day so when I am asked to attend events abroad I ask myself how does it help local groups, businesses and or how does it help Fife.
“I attended a commemoration event for all those who lost their lives in the First World War and I stood alongside the veterans wearing the Fife chain with pride and honour that I was there representing Fife at this important event.
“I also attended a Youth Olympiad with a large group of young people from across Fife. The other duty I carried out abroad was to follow up the visit of the mayor of Boblingen to Fife.
“Twinning with similar towns and regions is a great way of building links for young people and the local economy and I have discovered that there are ongoing friendships between communities in Fife and various parts of Europe and the more young people that we can get involved in this the more the benefits will be to Fife communities.”
Depute Fife Provost Kay Morrison said: “Twinning arrangements can bring vocational and developmental opportunities for our youngsters. When we can, we should support such arrangements.
“At the same time, I’m acutely aware of the crucial importance of prudential use of scarce resources. Decisions about expenditure are made responsibly, thoughtfully, weighing the benefits.”
Dunfermline Councillor Helen Law said: “I did indeed go to Trondheim at the invitation of the mayor as this was a special celebration for the 200th anniversary of their constitution.
“Dunfermline’s bond of friendship with Trondheim is the oldest in Europe and next year will see the 70th anniversary.
“The Trondheim Twinning Association and their Norwegian counterparts are really keen that the bond of friendship continues and we are looking to encourage young folk to get involved.
“The Trondheim Twinning Association meets regularly in Dunfermline. I am hoping that a celebration of our friendship can be held during 2015 for the benefit of young folk.”