Cash-strapped council spends £8,500 kitting out room for Mandelson

Room 74 in Hull Guildhall where Lord Mandelson is to have a an office refurbished at a cost of £8,000-plus for his role as High Steward of Hull.

The £8,420 refurbishment of Room 74 on the first floor of Hull’s Guildhall will include minor building work, IT rewiring, decorating, “improved lighting”, and “carpet renewal”.

The bulk of the cost is coming from the city council’s capital programme, plus £2,045 from the contingency budget of council leader Stephen Brady.

Coun Brady said it was money “well spent” given the contribution both had made since taking up the reinstated civic roles in February.

Lord Mandelson was appointed High Steward, a role originally created in 1583, while Baroness Bottomley was appointed Sheriff, which dates back to 1440.

Coun Brady said: “We feel it’s a very, very low cost and the value we’ve had out of both of them in the first few months is extraordinary – Baroness Bottomley on city of culture and Peter Mandelson on Siemens and wind power.

“I do think we want a place that’s fitting for people to get changed in and relax before any ceremony. I make no excuse for that.”

He added: “It’s a small amount of money and it’s well spent.”

But the spending has caused disquiet elsewhere.

Coun Mike Ross, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said: “We were always told these posts weren’t going to cost us money. For all the good these two posts might be doing, why the need to be kitting out rooms for them?

“They are not officers of the council or members. It’s bizarre.”

TaxPayers’ Alliance spokesman Andrew Allison said: “Councillor Brady needs to think again and also think about the message he is sending out to local tax payers.”

The Labour-led authority has to save £48m in the next two years.