Bedford Borough Council has come under scrutiny after a Freedom of Information request revealed it spent thousands of pounds on branded merchandise and staff away days. The purchases included 5,000 branded pens, trolley coins, travel mugs, and even a flower arranging session.
In total, the council spent more than £6,500 on promotional items, alongside costs for team-building activities across various departments. The revelations come despite a government drive to clamp down on non-essential spending in public bodies.
The spending has sparked debate among residents, with some questioning the value of such purchases during a time of budget pressures. The council has yet to publicly comment on the figures.
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