Council staff flown out to Cannes property convention at a cost of hundreds of pounds
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative councillor Mark Loveday and three council officials attended a property developers' conference in Cannes at a cost of £11,839 to the tax payer.
The flights to the conference alone cost £660 per person.
The four delegates were attending Marche International Des Professionnelles dans Immeubles - the world's largest gathering of property developers and agents.
Labour's Hammersmith Broadway councillor Stephen Cowan
said: "There has been some very unpopular planning decisions made by Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Conservative Administration in the last twelve months. I'm not convinced residents will be supportive of paying for a councillor to attend an exhibition in an internationally renowned millionaires' playground."
However, Councillor Mark Loveday said the council had acted appropriately.
Mr Loveday, Cabinet Member for Strategy said: "With over 40,000 people attending the conference flight tickets were more expensive than usual. However, all delegates from H&F flew with Easy Jet on their cheapest available tickets. Over 100 local authorities from England were represented at the conference and our delegation was one of the smallest of all of those groups.
"Our presence at MIPIM, Europe's leading property conference, is a reflection of how serious we are about making H&F a borough of opportunity. The council is committed to regenerating and renewing key parts of the borough, bringing new investment, jobs, housing and business opportunities.
"Spending £11,800 marketing H&F on an international stage - £5,000 of which is our contribution to the West London stand, is a small price to pay to meet those objectives."
26 June 2008
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