Many council officials enjoyed a sun-kissed March as they attended the MIPIM Property Conference in Cannes, the most exclusive spot on the French Riviera.
The attendance by some council officials in Cannes, better known for attracting stars to its film festival, has drawn criticism for its use of tax-payer funding. Many councils understandably decided not to pay for delegates to attend.
Attendees talk property deals over glasses of champagne, enjoying the sun, the sea view and schmoozing on yachts. Some stay at lavish hotels that cost nearly £400-a-night and attend yacht parties where they are treated by celebrity chefs.
Jonathan Isaby, chief executive the TaxPayers' Alliance told HuffPostUK: "It’s clear that council bosses have used this conference as an excuse for a taxpayer funded jaunt to the French Riviera. It demonstrates a total lack of judgement and willingness to justify spurious trips at taxpayers’ expense."
"If local business really values this conference as politicians often claim they should fund the venture themselves. Doing so would show the real value of MIPIM."
After a series of Freedom of Information requests, HuffPostUK can reveal how much some of the councils spent - and on what - in their time at the four-day property extravaganza.
MIPIM Cannes Property Show
Tickets are quite pricey (01 of07)
Open Image ModalAt least you get some nice views(02 of07)
Open Image ModalLeicester City Council spent £31,582 attending, with 12 officials going including City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.
Lovely surroundings - but you have to pay...(03 of07)
Open Image ModalDundee City Council sent just one official, at a total cost of £1,288, who was put up at the three-star Hotel Floreal.
Some councils teamed up to make savings(04 of07)
Open Image ModalLeeds City Council spent over £2,900 for two of its officials to attend, with savings made by sharing a flat with a group from another local authority.
At least officials had a nice time...(05 of07)
Open Image ModalSwansea City Council spent £1,396.16 to send four of its officials, putting them up at the Hotel Brasilia in Nice - which is 20 km away.
Other councils got in some sponsorship (06 of07)
Open Image ModalHaringey Council got £13,000 in sponsorship, spending just £9,072 as a net cost to attend the conference.At least Haringey's officials were put up in Cannes, in the city's four-star Palace Hotel .
Perth & Kinross seemed to show proper prudence(07 of07)
Open Image ModalPerth & Kinross sent two officials to the conference, at a total cost of £1,381.Did they live it up in Cannes? Their marketing officer spent just £79.53 on food, including meals at KFC and McDonalds.