’A waste of money’ was how the leader of Douglas Council referred to officers attending an off-island exhibition.

David Christian was quizzed by fellow councillors as to why three officers attended the Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition in September, despite the council voting last year not to send representatives again.

Councillors Carol Malarkey, Natalie Byron, Helen Callow and John Skinner all asked Mr Christian why the officers attended, who authorised it and how much it cost.

The council’s executive committee minutes from November 29 said that the decision to send the officers was taken because, as the island’s largest waste management authority, it was important to ’keep abreast of the latest innovations and products in the industry’.

It added: ’Officers were only sent to conferences and exhibitions on need, and, having looked at the organisations and exhibitors due to be present at this year’s exhibition, it had been felt that this would be an opportunity for them to gain some required new knowledge and information.

’For two of the officers present, it had been an opportunity for them to gain familiarisation with key suppliers in waste management, and, whilst attendance of three officers was unusual, on this occasion, circumstances had warranted it for operational reasons.’

Mr Christian (pictured above) said that, due to these factors, it had been determined there was ’sufficient’ reason for three officers to go.

However, he added: ’I think this was a waste of money for them to go. There was no committee approval and they should not have gone.’

Councillors resolved that while it supports officers going to conferences to improve operational knowledge and skills that benefit the council, any future off-island attendances will require prior approval from the relevant council committee.