Fury as Scottish councils blow public money on booze

Scots councils have spent more than £160,000 of taxpayers’ cash stocking up their drinks cabinets.

Dozens of cash-strapped local authorities have splashed out on exclusive whiskies, wines and spirits for corporate get-togethers and boozy bashes.

At least £164,000 has been spent by council chiefs across Scotland and in total, Scottish civic leaders are sitting on a stash of 2,200 bottles of alcohol at a time when most households are foregoing such luxuries.

Fair tax campaign group Taxpayer Scotland argue that last orders should have been called on this type of spending a long time ago.

Leader Eben Wilson said: “Enjoying a bevvy at taxpayers’ expense may be okay occasionally, but the amount uncovered here being spent shows a lack of concern about taxpayers’ pockets.

“Our councils are in debt and are still spending too much. This excess has to stop.”

Freedom of Information requests sent to all 32 councils by The Sunday Post returned responses from 29 authorities 24 of whom admitted to spending public cash buying booze.

Edinburgh City Council splurged by far the most, spending £62,746 in the last five years.

In responding to our request, the council said: “It is estimated that two-thirds of this spend approximately £41,000 can be attributed to official council business.

“The alcohol is used for private functions, such as weddings, private dinners, civic receptions and events hosted by the Lord Provost.”

But one concerned parent said: “We’ve all had to tighten our belts with what we can and can’t buy yet these councils seem to spend on what they like.”

In the Highlands, the local authority have handed over almost £35,000 in public money to buy alcohol and soft drinks.

The corks of that large haul were popped at events including a civic visit to Polish National Day in Edinburgh, a celebration of the Boys’ Brigade Queen’s Badge and a High Court lunch.

For a Pro-Am golf competition in both 2011 and 2012, West Dunbartonshire councillors who’ve spent £11,534.55 on alcohol since 2009 stocked up in Asda.

In total, the council spent almost £1,400 of taxpayers’ cash across the two years on alcohol and soft drinks.

Angus, Fife and Aberdeen City Council treated themselves to a selection of prestigious whiskies.

The bottles of Glencadden, Glenrothes and Glen Garioch all cost more than double that of the average supermarket brand.

Expert Derek Mather, whose Wishaw restaurant Artisan boasts the country’s largest collection of whiskies with more than 2,000 rare brands, claims the councils’ spending habits go against that of the public.

He said: “They could go for cheaper options especially with the way the economy is at the moment, and buy blends or single grains instead of the more expensive malts.”

Glasgow City Council spent a modest £4,968.62 on vintage port, sherry and Drambuie to name but three over the

five-year period, while councils in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, Orkney and South Lanarkshire all refused the temptation to buy in drink.