Wirral Council leader distances himself from Mayor's catering furore

May 20 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Council’s leader has distanced himself from the furore over the catering for the new Conservative Mayor’s civic reception.

Cllr Andrew Hodson was criticised for choosing a caterer from outside Wirral to provide the catering for his civic reception last week.

Cllr Steve Foulkes, leader of Wirral Council, then issued a statement on mayoral catering.

Cllr Foulkes said: “The decision to employ a catering firm from Manchester for the Mayor making was a personal decision taken by the Mayor himself.

“It was not a political decision taken by the administration.”

The authority paid the catering company, set up in Manchester but recently moved to Cheshire, more than £3,500 to cater for the prestigious event – despite the council being at the forefront of the campaign to make Wirral a renowned destination for its food offer.

Cllr Hodson said he was “very aware of the budget and the need to get value for money” in choosing the caterer, which was formed in West Didsbury.