A COUNCILLOR has hit out at his “greedy” County Hall colleagues for spending £79,000 on food.

Earlier this year, the Gazette revealed £79,442 had been spent on meals and drinks for county councillors at the members’ restaurant, at County Hall, in Chelmsford.

Stephen Mayzes, Essex County Councillor for Clacton North, said when he was elected to the authority in May, he was astonished to discover councillors were offered free booze with each meal.

“Every time you have a meal, you could have a free alcoholic drink – and you could have three meals a day with breakfast, lunch and dinner,” said Mr Mayzes, who said he has claimed no expenses since he has been a county councillor.

“Being a councillor is a privilege and councillors need to get back to basics. There are hundreds of thousands of volunteers, who give up their time and don’t claim any expenses or get free meals “We are the guardians of the public purse and need to set an example.”

One councillor told the Gazette the meals were not extravagant and were “very school dinners” with a salad bar.

County council spokeswoman Nicola Spicer said: “There is a nationally-set entitlement for councillors’ subsistence, and we calculate Essex County Council’s provision is a cheaper, more efficient means to provide for that national entitlement than reimbursing every single meal.

“Essex County Council’s figures also cover not just 75 councillors, but meeting costs held by some of its 38,000 staff with the contract regularly reviewed to ensure maximum value for money.”