Reading Labour councillors have been criticised for splashing out on free food and drinks at an annual meeting.
Reading Borough Council’s annual general meeting (AGM) took place at the Town Hall on May 21.
Councillor Alice Mpofu-Coles (Labour, Whitley) was made mayor of the borough for 2025/26, with cllr Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley) being appointed as her deputy.
The Green Party has revealed £4,866 was spent on free food and drinks during the post-event reception.
Guests were served chicken and rice, a selection of sweet and savoury snacks, and drinks at a bar.
Green councillors protested by refusing the catering provided.
Councillor Rob White (Green, Park), the opposition leader, said: “At a time when the Labour-run council is under a non-essential spending freeze and vital services are being cut, it’s completely wrong for Labour to be spending public money on free food and alcohol at the council AGM.
“Reading Council faces a projected £9.6 million overspend. Labour’s budget has already cut funding for tackling inequality, rough sleeping and children’s services. Council tax has gone up by 4.9 per cent again. Meanwhile one in four children in Reading live in poverty.
“Councillors and guests should pay for themselves. The nearly £5000 of taxpayer money which is currently paying for free booze and party food would be far better spent supporting the local food bank.
“Green Party councillors attended the AGM and gave thanks to both the outgoing and incoming mayors. However we didn’t take part in the free alcohol and food and we donated to the local food bank.”
He then referred to the local elections across the country. There were no electons in Reading this year as elections are held in three year cycles.
Cllr White said: “At the recent local elections around the country, Labour lost two-thirds of the seats it was defending whilst the Green Party gained seats for the eighth year running.
“Nationally, Labour is becoming more unpopular because of cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners, Labour support for the two-child benefit cap, and plans to slash disability benefits —policies that are pushing people further into poverty.
“Labour needs to work in the interests of residents, or it risks losing more councillors in Reading next year.”
A council spokesperson spoke about the importance of the event and stated there isn’t a recruitment freeze.
The spokesperson said: “Civic events such as the Annual General Meeting and Mayor Making ceremony play a key role in celebrating the importance of local democracy, recognising public service, community cohesion and creating a sense of community pride.
“They offer an opportunity for the local community, councillors, civic leaders and representatives of partner organisations to come together once a year and mark the formal beginning of a new Mayoral year — an important tradition which celebrates the values and responsibilities of public office. This year’s Mayor Making ceremony was once again well attended by Reading’s community and is considered a key moment in our Civic Calendar.
“The council can additionally confirm there is no current staff recruitment freeze in place.”
Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the council leader, added: “Whilst the council continue to monitor closely what it is spending and has strengthened the sign off for spending internally, the non-essential spending freeze put in place during the financial year has been eased, for example, as stated there is no current recruitment freeze.
“As cllr White knows, all local authorities have faced difficult choices in setting a balanced budget, which is a legal requirement, but he also know that, for example, a difficult decision on reducing some early years funding for Children’s services was subsequently mitigated but additional funding from the Labour Government.
“I value civic pride and do not believe the annual Mayor making should become a party political issue.”
