Former Town Mayor: Vale Council has squandered taxpayers money (From Penarth Times)

Former Town Mayor: Vale Council has squandered taxpayers money

THE PENARTH town manager has rejected accusations by a former mayor of Penarth that public money was squandered on entertainment at a recent meeting with traders in the town.

Nick Osborne, owner of Wason's hardware store, Robert James and Vennings the builder's merchant in Penarth, said he was dismayed that the council had forked out to provide meals at a meeting of town traders and the town manager held at the Manor House.

Nick said: "I received an invitation to attend a meeting at the Manor House, which was to be hosted by the town manager.

"I did notice that the letter mentioned light refreshments would be made available. I walked into the room where the meeting was to be held, to find about 50 people eating a cooked meal with wine.

"I left, wondering how much this evening had cost, bearing in mind this is one of three meetings held in Penarth, Barry and Llantwit Major. Vale of Glamorgan Council is supposedly hard up for cash, yet manages to fund this kind of unnecessary entertainment.

"I think taxpayers have a right to know how much all this cost and who paid for it."

Penarth town manager Emma Smith said: "A buffet meal and light refreshments (no wine) were offered at this event.

"The Manor House Hotel pulled out all the stops in the spirit of the event with exceptional customer service and provided a hot meal.

"This offered the hotel's proprietor the opportunity to showcase the venue for business use and as such offered extremely good value for money on delegate rates.

"I have arranged traders events in each of the four principle town centres in order to introduce myself as the new town centre manager."

Nick Osborne added: "In the past ten years we have had three town managers and I have never had a visit from any of them. Are the residents of Penarth aware that we have been funding a town manager on a salary and add-on costs?

"Surely that kind of money could have gone towards building a car park."

But Emma Smith said: "I call in to see traders when my schedule permits. At each event I have emphasised my availability and willingness to meet with traders.