Darlington councillors say it would be tragic to lose annual charity bash

The annual bash at the Dolphin Centre's central hall raised only £1,662 for the Mayors charities, more than £4,000 less than the previous year.

More than 300 guests paid £50 for a ticket for the dinner and dance in October, but only £2 per ticket went to charity.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's resources scrutiny committee have called for a review of the event to make sure guests get value for money, and more cash goes to good causes.

Conservative Councillor Charles Johnson said: "Overall there was an extremely disappointing contribution to the Mayor's charity and we must have our tongues in our cheeks when we call it the Mayor's Charity Ball.

"The cost of food and drink at £34 a head is unexplainable. I don't know anywhere in Darlington where you would pay that much for the food that was presented.

"I'm beginning to think that using the Dolphin Centre and internal caterers is not competitive and we are only doing it that way because we always have."

Coun Ian Haszeldine, the committee's Labour chairman, said members of the public were being priced out of the event, meaning that local businesses provided most of the guests.

"It is turning into a corporate event, rather than a public charity event," he said.

"It needs to be more accessible for local people.

"We need to take a long hard look at this.

"£34 a head is dear, unless you are eating at Marco Pierre White's or something.

"We have to continue with the Mayor's ball, it would be tragic if we didn't have it, but we need to make sure we are presenting a spectacular charity event that is open to all, not just a small group."

Income from the event totalled £15,300, but £237 was spent on equipment, £10,404 on catering, £480 on flowers, £1,150 on entertainment, £2,148 on the hire of a marquee and £138 on chocolates.

The Mayor Coun Jim Ruck's charities for the year are St Teresa's Hospice, the Great North Air Ambulance and the Dogs Trust at Sadberge.