Kay Cutts defends £12k spending on volunteers' garden party
THE leader of Notts County Council has defended £12,000 spending on a garden party for volunteers.
The council has been criticised for paying for the party at a time when it is trying to make savings of £29m.
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Kay Cutts
But councillor Kay Cutts said the party was not an over-the-top affair - and this year's hospitality spending is set be lower than that spent last year by the council.
She said: "We are just saying thank you to people who do things for nothing and I think that is right.
"It wasn't a lavish event and people thoroughly enjoyed it."
Councillor Cutts said the cost of the garden party, which took place on July 17, was likely to come out at a total of £10,000 against the £12,000 set aside for it in the budget. She said the council did not hire a marquee for the event and transport costs would have been included in the total.
The party was an opportunity for many people to go to County Hall for the first time and see what the council does.
But councillor Cutts did admit that the council had "huge problems to face" in terms of cutting spending.
She said they she expected they would spend £28,000 of the £40,000 set aside in the hospitality budget for this year.
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by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Friday, July 30 2010, 5:59PM
“What a shame you don't try volunteering AM you would make a lot of new friends and be helping others. Just think, without volunteers there would be no blood or organ donors, no charities, no Scouts, Guides, WRVS,BRCS,St Johns, youth football - the list is endless. Perhaps a few posters could get away from their keyboards a bit more.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:01PM
“Same here, 'AM.'
This is not the reason for the cuts.”
by AM, Nottingham
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:49AM
“Actually I find myself for the first time since Ms Cutts came into power, totally agreeing with her. The budget had already been set aside and these people who volunteer are remarkable, I take my hat off to them all. These people actually save the council and many other organisations thousands and thousands of pounds every year. I am affected by the cutts but I don't begrudge one pound spent on the tea party. Just think what a wonderful world we would live in if we all thought to give some of our spare time up for the benefit of others. And no I don't volunteer myself, nor do I no anyone who does, I just admire the ones that do.”
by Ted, Notts
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:01AM
“MadBadger the Reasonable followed by Naturalised Loony Lefty¿¿You¿re learning to differentiate your various personas, MadWeasel.
:) for effort!”
by Andy, Notts
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:32AM
“Take it out her wages, she wont be saying that its worth it then, idiot”