A SENIOR councillor, who claimed nearly £1,000 of free food at Essex County Council’s canteen, has insisted it shows how hard he works.

Figures requested by the Green Party revealed Rodney Bass had eaten £995 of free meals at the County Hall canteen – more than any of his colleagues.

The Conservative administration has previously ordered a review into the expenses system which could see the free meals scrapped.

But Mr Bass, who last year received £43,225 for his roles as a councillor and cabinet member for highways, claimed the money showed how hard he worked.

He said: “These are nominal meal costs which are supplied by county council canteen.

“My day can start at 8am and finish at 10pm.

“Am I supposed to exist on no victuals at all?”

He also claimed never to have charged fuel expenses and suggested those who did not claim for meals just stayed at home.

Mr Bass said: “It’s intemperate to start to point the finger at those who are trying to work very hard for the community when they themselves appear very rarely at County Hall.”

An independent remunerations committee will report back with recommendations for the expenses system in the New Year.

Council leader David Finch said the canteen may be cheaper than councillors nipping out to get a sandwich and claiming the cost back.

He said he would not support changes introduced by other authorities where councillors get an increased basic allowance but see their other benefits scrapped.

Asked why councillors, who last year received allowances between £11,500 and £61,000 should get free meals, Mr Finch said it was part of their agreed benefits package.

He pointed out some councillors, including cabinet members, had recently taken a three per cent pay cut.