“Many attendees will get lots of other invites to free meals - making this a real insult to those pressed to get work, housing, pay bills, struggle with public transport etc.

If they have got some spare time and energy and really want some fun to celebrate Christmas - then why not! Lets hold a council talent show - put on by councillors - for the benefit of anyone who can get there using the taxis that the council have already booked. I will help to find a large stable for such an event - as there was NO room at the Inn [or the golf club]

Rob”

“CV - OK, Re Civic Expenses, my lowest offer, I will now do the driving for all the Sevenoaks District Councillor's 2010 Knees-Ups for £13k a year - and I shall also throw in a free Ferrero Rocher on the (Maestro) passenger seat - if it's good enough for the Ambassador's Reception I am sure it will be more than welcomed at the Chairman's Dinner!!!”

“This is disgraceful. When many private companies have cancelled Christmas parties this year due to the worst recession since the 2nd World War, why do the public services see fit to hold an extravagant party at the tax payer's expense? What is the CEO of the council thinking?!”

“I'll do it for 14k! But i want an invite to the knees up.”

“Cllr Gilbert - get it right, the actual sum set aside for civic expenses (aka "jollies") was just shy of £80k. The £400 set aside for taxis for over-the-limit-councillors at the Christmas knees-up is totally insignificant when compared to the £30,000+ a year spent on chauffeur driven cars.

Thought - I need a job, how's about I ferry them around in my old wreck - call it £15k a year and we will all be happy. Sorted!!!!”

“Could it be that the withdrawal of the Saturday morning heavy refuse collections were withdrawn this year to provide funding for the councillors' bash?”

“Brian Elliott , I think you hit the nail right on the head . Julia though these Bashes are boring and not worth going to they still cost thousands of pounds ie Cllr John Gilberts comment .”

“Jock, point taken, but any news has to be slightly spicy or reactionary if you want to get 'Jo public ' motivated or interested and I guess that is the idea. Did I mention I was at the Spa Hotel one night when Mencap were having their Christmas Bash? Well As I stood there drinking soda and lime after being in the gym, A few came in for pre-meal drinks, one of their party said ¿We¿ll have a bottle of wine" when asked what they wanted. "Put it on the Mencap account¿. I asked the barmen how much a bottle was he said £35.00 a time. The thought occurred to me...Is this why I give money to charity? Reactionary ¿Food for thought¿ Jock!”

“Brian, because it is written with the same intent and reactionary style often associated with Daily Mail articles on immigration..etc.. designed to stir up some unjustified uproar with its readers.”

“I have to say this really is a sloppy and cheap peice of journalism. I'm surprised something as amateur as this managed to get published.

Is this to provoke a reaction from The Daily Mail readers amongst us ?


Jock, Paddock Wood

Sorry Jock, You have lost me. Why the Daily Mail?”