COUNCIL bosses in Ryedale have been criticised for exceeding their refreshments budget last year.

Figures obtained from Ryedale District Council showed £1,833.72 was spent on tea, coffee, biscuits and other snacks and drinks for senior bosses and councillors, as well as for council meetings, during 2012/13. The budget was £1,670. 

The largest expense £246 - being spent on refreshments for a management team awayday. Another awayday led to a food and drink bill of £204.17.

Norton West councillor Luke Ives, who obtained the figures, said: “When the council is having to cut services, raise council tax and charge for garden waste to be collected, there is still waste within the organisation which needs to be rooted out.”

City of York Council spent £30 on refreshments for councillors in 2012 and has spent £150 so far this year. In mid-2011, the authority stopped providing sandwiches for councillors before full council meetings. Its 2013 budget for civic functions hosted by the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York and their consorts is £9,230.68.