FOUR guests of the council had a taxi paid for them to travel to a royal garden party in London, despite calls for public spending to be cut.

The chief executive of Stroud District Council approved a request to pay for a taxi to take four people to the Queens garden party on his expenses instead of organising for them to take public transport.

In an email seen by the Gazette David Hagg said it would be "discourteous and penny pinching" not to pay for the guests’ taxi fares.

He continued: "I appreciate that in the current climate of reaction to any form of civic expenditure, that this decision may be scrutinized internally and externally."

Each year the leader of the council gets to choose two people – usually not on the council - who can each take one guest to attend the Queens garden party, at the expense of the authority.

However a Labour councillor from Cam says it is not how he would want his council tax spent.

Cllr John Fowles said: "My view is that it is wrong for the council to pay for a taxi to London for people who are not representing the council. "No-one has explained what the people of Stroud district gain from it. "I could understand it if the chair of council went occasionally and paid for it from his allowance but for some reason he is not representing us. "It is all at odds with the administration’s claim that it needs to save money by cutting back services. I am sure that people would rather see their money spent on disabled adaptations than jollies to London."

The cost of the taxi fare is thought to be approximately £320, however in his email Mr Hagg said it could cost more because of the late notice in booking.

"To provide train fares and taxis across London is an option but to that would be added local taxis to take the two sets of guests to Stroud station," said Mr Hagg.

"My judgement is that this involves changes in mode of travel, in full attire, and for any elderly or infirm guests may represent additional issues."

He added: "There are aspects of civic activity that need to be undertaken and I do not consider the council’s expenditure unreasonable. Indeed, I think this is a reasonable balance of cost, comfort and ‘door to door’ transport."