Bury council leader under fire over an £11,000 council office swap

Cllr Bob Bibby said he had to renovate his town hall base to “bring the building into the 21st century”.

But opponents accused him of being out of touch with taxpayers, who faced a 4.88 per cent rise in council tax in May, and could face a similar hike in nine months’ time.

Controversy began when Labour leader Cllr Mike Connolly noticed the work being done and wrote to officers to find out more.

It emerged Cllr Bibby wanted to separate his office kitchen and toilet for hygiene reasons.

At the same time, he decided to swap his smaller office for his secretary’s larger room and carry out refurbishment work.

Cllr Bibby was authorised to make the decision personally, without permission from other councillors.

A council spokesman said: “The work involves the removal of a partition wall together with changes to existing and new doorways within the area.

“The anticipated cost covers all associated electrical and mechanical works, plastering and decoration.”

Cllr Connolly said: “When they said it was £11,000 I was aghast. What kind of council leader splashes the cash like this during a recession?

“The smaller office was good enough for Labour when we were in power. What makes Cllr Bibby so special?

“He is out of touch he is with taxpayers. What council tax rise lies in store for them next year remains to be seen.”

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Tim Pickstone said: “In these difficult financial times, it is difficult to justify expensive things like this.

“The council seems to have got their priorities all wrong.”

But Cllr Bibby said: “It is the best £11,000 we have ever spent.

“The town hall was built in the 1950s. It was important to bring it into the 21st century.

“The toilet and the kitchen being so close together was unhygienic and needed sorting out, which presented an ideal opportunity to move offices.

“We had nowhere to hold very important Executive meetings, which was an unacceptable position to be in.”