In the last financial year, Maldon District Council spent nearly £1,000 on corporate hospitality, including refreshments, lunches and a floral tribute.

The most expensive was a staff raffle and buffet costing the taxpayer £561.12.

Corporate management team mileage claims were just under £3,000.

The head of environmental services clocked up the highest claim with £908.70.

By far the most expensive claims were for attendance at conferences, totalling £3,628.77, many of which were Local Government Conferences.