Reading's ruling Labour Party has been criticised over thousands spent on catering and overseas trips amid a cost of living squeeze.
Reading Borough Council sets aside £17,500 a year for the mayor's services and expenses. Of that, £4,866 went on catering — including chicken and rice meals and chocolate desserts — at the council's annual general meeting in May 2025.
Money has also been spent on mayoral engagements, the biggest recent bill being £919.98 for flights for councillor Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood), mayor of Reading for 2024/25, to watch a match at Euros 2024.
The Labour administration was accused of "wasteful spending" during the budget-setting meeting for the 2026/27 financial year.
Rob White (Green, Park), leader of the opposition, said: "On the hospitality budget, one area where savings could easily be made is the mayor's hospitality/other budget line, that's £17,500 per year, worryingly vague.
"This pays for £5,000 of food and alcohol for councillors and their guests at the mayor-making meeting. In recent years, thousands have been spent on alderman ceremonies and scrolls. Almost £1,000 was spent on flights to the Euros 2024 for the mayor.
"The majority of that money, £17,500 per year, would be far better given to the local foodbank, it should help struggling residents not pay for food and drink and jollies for councillors.
"What do the Greens believe? Greens believe councils should be properly funded from the government, people need support through the cost of living crisis, not above-inflation council tax rises."
Cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) added: "Outside this chamber, people are asking a simple question: what are they getting back?
"Residents don't live in spreadsheets, they live with rising bills, worsening road and services stretched thinner every year.
"History gives us a warning [in the case of] Robert Clive, the first governor of Bengal Presidency. For him, every time he faced financial pressure, he always extracted more money from the residents until the system itself became unsustainable. For me, there is no difference between Robert Clive and the Labour administration."
He also alluded to the George Orwell book 'Animal Farm', saying the burden of paying for increased costs has fallen on hardworking residents. Cllr Singh said: "While our residents are holding food stamps, our mayor is visiting Germany with £1,000 flights. As a first citizen, at this time, where there is austerity under Labour, and a cost of living crisis, it wasn't a great decision."
Labour councillors pointed to major projects they say benefit residents, including the new Central Library and the Hexagon Theatre upgrade. Council leader Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) said the council is investing £146 million in affordable and sheltered housing and £70 million on retrofitting carbon reduction measures and improvements to existing council homes.
Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley) highlighted a sheltered housing and adult day care centre in Hexham Road and 17 affordable homes plus a respite care facility in Amethyst Lane.
The 2026/27 budget was passed last month, with Labour councillors voting for it and the opposition voting against.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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