TORY councillors are boycotting a town hall buffet today, claiming it is a "back-slapping session".

The event is being held to round off what is expected to be the last ever Bolton Council housing committee.

It is expected to be scrapped along with other council committees during a massive shake-up in the way the council is run.

The event is being called "celebration of achievements" and past and present councillors will be invited along. But Tory councillors are furious at the idea claiming it is a waste of money.

Deputy leader Cllr John Walsh said: "I would not have thought this is a time for jollies and self-congratulation.

"I recognise a great deal has been achieved in housing over recent years. There remains, however, much to do.

"The recent cut in the housing maintenance budget to fund the administrative cost of rent arrears is but one example.

"It is said that self-praise is no praise and perhaps we should leave it to tenants to judge the quality of the housing service.

"I don't know how much this has cost. But one penny spent on this is one penny less spent on housing repairs and maintenance."

But chairman Labour Cllr Noel Spencer said: "This was not meant to be at all political. There are many people, some who are now quite elderly, who have given their time to serve on the housing committee.

"This is just really our way of saying thank you. I spoke to both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders before this was arranged and there did not seem to be any objections."

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