Mayor cancels yearly bash to 'set example'
SWANSEA'S Lord Mayor has cancelled an annual party for council members and officers because of the age of "austerity".
Richard Lewis said the Lord Mayor usually invites councillors and senior officers to the Mansion House every year.
But he said he didn't think it was appropriate in the current economic climate.
"We as a council must set an example," he said. "There are two nights a year when councillors come up to the Mansion House and it's free.
"I think in this day and age we don't need that sort of bun fight. I think it's a lot of money which is particularly significant in this time of austerity."
Mr Lewis, who will be Lord Mayor until May, said the events could cost around £1,000.
He added: "It's not on, and I don't think there's any need for it. We should be setting an example to the public when there are problems with finances."
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley was shocked to hear Mr Lewis's plans to cancel the event.
However, he added: "The event is not just a bun fight, it's a celebration and an unveiling of the previous Lord Mayor, in this case Alan Lloyd's, caricature which is displayed in the Mansion House.
"It's part of a 30 or 40-year-old tradition. It's part of the history and I think the Lord Mayor should consider that and the unveiling of the caricature which is displayed in the Mansion House.
"I will be asking the members their views, because it's an elected members' decision, and take it from there."
Over the past year Mr Lewis has hosted dozens of charity bashes at the Mansion House since he donned the chains last year.
One of the causes closest to his heart in that time has been the Pakistan flood relief campaign. So far £2,800 has been raised for the appeal.
However, Mr Lewis said he was hoping to top the amount up to £3,000 through fundraising to build a third home for a family in Pakistan.
helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk
7 Comments
by Freeloader, Bunfight House
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 10:57PM
“As Chris Holley is so "shocked" at the cancellation perhaps he could make this an all ticket and all pay bun fight to re-schedule this event . I think this would be a greater shock to his system . The biggest shock would be how few are prepared to buy tickets when there is no free bar !”
by mrs davies, swansea
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 6:24PM
“I quite agree, with the current economy the way it is to spend £1000 for the fat cats to enjoy would be appauling. I wonder if Chris Holley would be so for this event if he had to pay? Considering it's our taxes that pay for this "celebration" i think if anyone has a say on whether it be cancelled or not it should be us the tax payers that live in the real world. Show some humanity and give the £1000 to charity!!!”
by OED, Swansea
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 3:56PM
“Caricatures? Bunfights? Hospitality budgets? Charity 'bashes' etc etc etc? Time for this profligacy to stop and for councillors to join us in the real world.”
by Tax, Swansea
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 3:37PM
“oooooooohhhhhhh ... No ... now i will not get a FREE booze up at the tax payers expense, i will have to pay now ******”
by Sandra, Swansea
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 1:31PM
“Good for Councillor Lewis. If the councillors want the event, I do not see why they should not pay for it out of their own pockets. They do very well with their expenses for not a lot.”
by Andrew, Mumbles
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 10:30AM
“Are we supposed to be impressed by this gesture? If Lewis is so worried about public purse then why did he move his family into the Mansion House with all the extra house-keeping costs? Other mayors stayed in the own homes during their term of office.”
by Waiter, Swansea
Wednesday, February 23 2011, 9:42AM
“I note that the cash-conscious Councillor Lewis did not cancel annual Mansion House bun-fight for the local media which was held just a few weeks ago. Have Richard and the live-in Lewis family bust the entertainment budget?”