A LEADING Conservative has slammed council chiefs for setting aside £2,500 for food and publicity while taxpayers bear the brunt of "their high spending".

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has earmarked the cash for a buffet and posters for a Risk Awareness Day taking place this month.

The event, which is only open to council staff, will feature displays and talks by outside agencies, and is designed to help cut costs by identifying and reducing risks at work.

But Councillor Barbara Harpham, leader of the Conservative group, claimed the amount for extras was ridiculously high.

"It seems ludicrous," she said. "You would expect to be going to a four-star hotel."

Coun Harpham said the cost was particularly unreasonable as the authority had the second highest council tax rate in the country.

She said: "Redcar and Cleveland council is always wasting money, which is why we are in the mess we are in.

"It just shows that we should be going outside the council to provide services."

The conference is due to be held at the Redcar Adult Education Centre, on September 21, and is expected to attract 150 people.

The amount required for the buffet and publicity, which may only be £1,200 of the £2,500 set aside, will come from the council's Risk Management Fund.

Councillor Dave Walsh, the council leader, claimed the benefits of the day would justify the expense.

"It's primarily a way for council employees to be more conscious of risk, which will save the council money in the long term," he said.

"We have thousands of people working for us and we have got to make sure that they are aware of risk management.