HERE’S the expenses claims for working lunches taken by Camden Council chief officers in 2010, as released under the Freedom of Information Act. Not excessive in comparison to other authorities, I’m told, but isn’t it handy they opened up the St Pancras Grand restaurant bang opposite the Town Hall?

20/04/2010	St Pancras Grand – Kings Cross	Working Lunch with Argent (includes 3 officers)	£132.36
14/06/2010	Acorn House	Working Lunch with Home Office( travelled from Wales) officer to discuss shared Services	£44.00
26/07/2010	St Pancras Grand – Kings Cross	Working lunch with manager considering options for returning from long-term absence	£66.09
27/07/2010	Del’Aziz – Swiss Cottage	Drinks/snacks for Member induction visits/tour	£72.73
16/08/2010	Betjeman Arms	Working Lunch with external housing specialists from Yorkshire to discuss best practice	£82.30
17/09/2010	Carluccios	Working lunch with Member of Organisation Development to discuss learning from respective organisations on HR activities	£34.00
29/10/2010	Betjeman Arms	Working lunch with prospective supplier	£41.36
05/11/2010	Midland Hotel	Sandwiches, soft drinks for 2 Cllrs and Camden officer on arrival at the ADASS Conference	36.41