A CASH-strapped council which has made cuts to services has come under fire for sponsoring a drinks reception – in London.

West Somerset Council pumped £200 into a networking meeting of politicians in Westminster to mark Coastal Communities Week.

The authority also paid for three representatives to travel to the capital for the event on Monday (July 7), which included a talk from a Government minister, canapés and refreshments.

The move has raised eyebrows with councillors and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, who has questioned the council’s involvement.

He said: “We have not got the money to be doing this.

“This is basically a drinks party in Westminster ... it has no added benefit to us at all.

“I do not understand why we are putting money into sponsoring this when the council has to sell its family jewels to pay the rent.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger believes taxpayers have a right to know the reasons behind the council’s decision when cuts are being made to other areas.

He said he is also planning to write to chief executive Penny James, who oversees West Somerset and Taunton Deane councils.

“The council is effectively sponsoring a drinks reception when it hasn’t got the money. It also has massive outstanding borrowings,” said Mr Liddell-Grainger.

“This is something we can’t afford and the taxpayers of West Somerset yet again are being left with the bill.”

The event saw guests talk about coastal tourism, flood defences and other topics.

Independent Cllr Hugh Davies, who sits on West Somerset and Somerset County councils, said: “When I was told about this I was quite amazed and taken aback. I thought: ‘What are we doing here?’

“I have seen no information about it anywhere so it must have been something that the cabinet has decided to do. It has not gone before full council.”

In 2012, a report by the Local Government Association found that West Somerset Council was not “financially viable” in the long term.

The council joined forces with Taunton Deane last November to share management and services with the aim of saving around £1.9million each year.

A West Somerset Council spokesman said: “Minehead and the YMCA Beach Hotel in particular have benefited a great deal from the coastal communities fund which is all about boosting the economy and creating jobs.

“We are contributing £200 – from a budget specifically set aside to support business development in the area – towards the cost of the reception which will celebrate the work done thus far and further raise the profile of the area as a place to work and do business. We feel this is money well spent.”

As previously reported in the Gazette, Minehead has been awarded £200,000 from the Government’s coastal communities fund, aimed at breathing new life into the economy of seaside towns.