THE decision to spend more than £1,000 refurbishing the new Tory leader’s office at Poole’s Civic Centre has come under fire from opposition councillors.

Liberal Democrat Philip Eades, a former mayor of Poole, blasted the spending on the office at a time of austerity – and as councillors vote down a motion to pay council staff at least the Living Wage.

But Borough of Poole have said it was “essential maintenance” and was not done at new leader Janet Walton’s request.

Cllr Eades said: “It is frankly astounding that, at a time when we are told Poole is almost bankrupt and austerity is rife, the new leader has found sufficient funds in the council’s budget to redecorate her office.

“Nearly £800 for painting a 10ft by 8ft office is quite incredible, and shows a total disregard by the leader for those members of Poole’s communities struggling to pay their bills. At the same time she had her colleagues voting down a motion to ensure that the council pays all of its staff at least the Living Wage.

“She displays a very warped sense of priorities towards residents and employees in Poole”

The redecoration was authorised by democratic services manager Pauline Gill, and included £797 for the repainting, and £250 for the laying of recycled carpet tiles, which were reused from Stour Valley and Poole Partnership offices at Northmead House, replacing the torn carpet which had become a “safety hazard”.

The furniture was replaced from council stores at no extra cost.

A spokesman for Borough of Poole said: “The leader’s office has not had any significant redecoration for over 24 years.

“It was considered essential maintenance and not done at the leader’s request. The office is used to receive visitors and is not solely used by the leader.

“It has been repainted and where possible costs were kept to a minimum including the use of recycled carpet tiles and using existing office furniture.

“Funds were allocated from the cost of members budget.”