Councillor slams education chiefs over ‘junket’ at Fife hotel

The hiring of a luxury hotel in Fife for a head teachers’ conference “beggars belief”, a local councillor has said.

Levenmouth Labour councillor Colin Davidson said Fife Council’s education service owed the public an explanation for its decision to host the two-day conference at the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links.

The gathering, yesterday and today, comes as the local authority attempts to balance its books amid further budget cuts.

Mr Davidson, pictured, said hiring the retreat was inexcusable and labelled the event a “junket”.

He said: “The public and elected members deserve answers.

“Why are we doing this while we are making millions in cuts? It beggars belief.

“It’s a junket and needs to be pointed out as a junket”.

Mr Davidson added: “There are a lot of buildings in the Fife Council estate that are suitable where people can host meetings.

“There is no reason why this event could not take place there.”

Fife Council insisted no head teachers or staff members were staying at the resort overnight and said the price of catering at its own facilities made it a cost-effective option.

Shelagh McLean, head of education and children’s services for the region, said: “These are programmed engagement days that are an important element of our leadership development strategy for our head teachers.

“We use this particular hotel for some large-scale events and importantly, when it proves to be better value for money than the cost of using council facilities.

“No attendees are staying overnight, as each head teacher will only attend one of the two sessions.”