The outlay by Breckland on an awards night for employees has been branded a "disgrace" by a Reform councillor, who described it as a waste of money.

Sources connected to the council claim bosses have told staff to "keep hush" about the event, with people actively discouraged from posting about it on social media.

The council is understood to have hosted the awards night for at least a decade (Image: Ian Burt)

The insider described the event as "back slapping for favourite members of staff" and claimed it favoured more senior members of staff.

However, the council has defended the event, saying it was to celebrate hard-working employees and reduce staff turnover.

The awards ceremony is understood to have been held annually for several years but the £11,193 spending on the most recent one, held at Hunters Hall, Swanton Morley, has only just emerged following a Freedom of Information request.

The source said spending on the event had increased significantly in recent years, claiming in 2019 it cost around £3,000.

Hunters Hall in Swanton Morley is a popular wedding venue (Image: Hunters Hall)

The emergence of the spending comes shortly after the Tory-run authority said it was putting up its share of council tax by the maximum allowed without a public referendum, with leaders claiming it faced "economic uncertainty".

Announcing the hike - a £4.95 rise for Band D properties - Phillip Cowen, executive member for finance, said it meant people would pay just under the price of two Mars bars a week for their Breckland tax.

He added that if people could not afford the new rate, it was "a poor show".

Phil Cowen, Breckland Council’s executive member for finance revenue and benefits (Image: Mark Bullimore Photography 2017)

The increase means the bill for the awards ceremony is equivalent to the amount paid in tax to Breckland by 90 local households over the next year.

The event sees a number of awards handed out. The categories are understood to include one for Best Team, Best Apprentice and a Chief Executive and Leaders Award.

The current chief executive, Maxine O'Mahony, is paid up to £141,816.

The awards nights have been held every year for at least the past decade.

A previous event saw leader of the council, Sam Chapman-Allen, appear before staff in an inflatable elephant costume, while executive director Jason Cole dressed up as the Ringmaster from the Greatest Showman.

Leader of the council, Sam Chapmen-Allen dressed up in an inflatable elephant costume at one event (Image: Henry Durand)

The insider said: "I think it's shocking, the amount of money that's been spent on a staff awards party, considering the cost of living crisis that's been going on for the last five years.

"Council tax has been going up year upon year and that they choosing not to make savings on such easy things like this."

The source also claimed the awards themselves historically favoured those at the top of the organisation. 

"Everyone was so annoyed that all the recognition had gone to senior managers and directors," he said.

"It is a bit of back slapping for the favourite members of staff."

Robin Hunter-Clarke said the cost of the party was a "disgrace" (Image: Reform UK)

Reform UK councillor Robin Hunter Clarke, who called for council tax to be frozen at last month's budget meeting, has criticised the spending.

"It's disgraceful. What a waste of money,” he added.

“As they spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on a party for themselves, they are at the same time increasing our council tax by the maximum amount possible.

“Shame on them. This is another example of why they all deserve to be kicked out of office.

A Breckland spokesman said: “Like many employers, Breckland Council holds an annual staff awards event to recognise the dedication and hard work of its staff.

“The event is a rare opportunity for colleagues from across the organisation to come together and take stock of the achievements from the year, to celebrate the impact that teams and individuals have made to the lives of local people, and to thank the officers who go above and beyond their day job to tirelessly support our residents and communities.

“Among those nominated at the recent awards were staff who have helped tackle major housing pressures, advocated for farmers and rural businesses, and secured millions of pounds in national funding for the district.

“We are always mindful of using the public purse appropriately and in the past we have held our staff awards at our head office.

"However, limited capacity meant some staff were not able to attend and felt excluded, which has made it necessary to use an external venue.

"The 2025 recognition event was held at Hunter’s Hall in Swanton Morley and we are pleased to have supported a local business with our booking.

"We are extremely proud of the life-changing work of our staff and it is right that as an employer we take a moment to thank them.

"Recognising the passion and commitment of our colleagues boosts morale, encourages further high-quality work, and helps the council to remain an employer of choice, which in turn reduces our staff turnover and retention of excellent officers delivering quality services to local people.”

© Eastern Daily Press