Sutton Council has been criticised over plans to spend more than £100,000 on refurbishing one of its meeting rooms.
 

Councillors have been informed of proposals for one of the committee meeting rooms in the civic centre, which the council say will "increase the flexibility of the space, improve temperature control and leave the space fit for purpose"
Works will also include removal of asbestos, the installation of a new folding partition, renewal of all finishes, new light fittings and an upgrade the audio-visual facilities. 
 

The council has put a list of jobs out to tender to allow businesses to come forward with their best price for the work on the ground floor room.
 

Tony Shields, Conservative councillor for Sutton South said the expense was a ridiculous waste of taxpayers money at a time of recession.
 

He said: "When services are under threat the last thing the taxpayer expects is frivolous expenditure on carpets and light bulbs.  While the council is saying it can not afford to pay the Orlit homeowners (whose homes the council wants to knocked down and redevelop) what their houses are worth, it can afford to blow more than £100k on making its meeting room look prettier."
 

Councillor Simon Wales, lead member of the council for resources, said: "We have put out to tender a number of key jobs and will make sure that each is undertaken in a cost effective and efficient manner. Whatever can be recycled elsewhere in the civic offices, will be. Making sure our staff have the right conditions to carry out their work is important and ensures that local residents receive the best possible service."