SERVICES have been cut and residents are bracing themselves for a huge hike in their council tax bills.

But Southampton City Council still managed to find enough cash to send two employees to a sun-soaked event in the South of France.

The Labour-run council was among several local authorities that despatched delegates to the annual MIPIM property conference in Cannes.

The officers were sent to the Mediterranean resort at a cost of £3,556 – just days before council tax bills in the city rise by almost six per cent.

But the council has defended its decision, saying it needs to attend major events as part of its campaign to attract £3bn of investment to the city.

The four-day networking session was held at the Palais des Festivals earlier this month.

Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, said: “It was a property conference but anyone who wants to build in Southampton knows where the council is.

“The authority has cut bin collections and is putting the council tax up by six per cent – and yet it sends officers to the south of France for something that’s not particularly productive.

“That’s spectacularly bad leadership.
“They should hold their hands up and admit that this was ill-judged, ill-thought out and a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Cllr Don Thomas, an Independent member for Coxford Ward, agreed.
He said: “Residents will wonder why the council can find thousands of pounds to send officers to the south of France but isn’t able to do any of the basics here in Southampton.”

James Price of the Taxpayers’ Alliance described the Cannes conference as a “taxpayer-funded jolly”.

He added: “Local authorities should have to prove beyond doubt that the cost of the trip was justified in the investment they attracted.”

But a city council spokesman defended the authority.

He said: “As part of Southampton’s Master Plan, it’s imperative we attend this type of event in order to attract potential investors to the city.

“The Master Plan was launched in 2012 with a view to bringing £3bn of investment to the city, of which £1.9bn has already been achieved.

“Driving the local economy forward ensures ongoing city-wide regeneration and employment opportunities for local people.

“The cost of sending representatives from the council to events such as these is more than offset by the many long-term growth benefits that Southampton receives in return for having a presence at conference opportunities.”