A VALE councillor has established the drinks bill for his colleague’s refreshments amounted to £1100 during 2012/13 - including cold drinks.

Cllr Richard Bertin’s Freedom of information request discovered cabinet members provided their own refreshments - supplying their own tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits.

Costs in the cabinet office, he was told, were incurred when guests visited and, on occasions, the cost was paid for corporately.

A Vale council spokeswoman said: “The refreshments expenditure is not only for the 47 councillors but for any meetings where councillors are meeting with other organisations and councils both unitary and community.

“Members and guests are given the courtesy of a drink when they are working or if they have just come from another meeting. Drinks are also made available for training sessions.”