WHILE the BEN can understand the Tory councillors' concern over the cost of a "celebration of achievement", surely a buffet to say thank you to housing committee workers past and present is not going to cost the earth.

Council officials wouldn't reveal the cost of the buffet but we reckon a pork pie or two, a couple of plates of sausage rolls and a handful of peanuts is not going to break the bank.

And if it makes employees feel valued, then it's no bad thing.

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