FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has spent almost £7,000 of public money on refreshments for councillors, including tea and biscuits, in the last year.
During the various Council meetings at Enniskillen Townhall and at The Grange in Omagh councillors can enjoy a cup of tea brewed with Punjana teabags, or a stimulating coffee made from Nescafe’s “carefully selected” coffee beans. 
For peckish politicians there are sandwiches available and a selection of biscuits from the Family Circle range, including digestives, milk chocolate digestive and chocolate fingers.
Following a Freedom of Information Request by The Impartial Reporter, the Council has confirmed that the total cost of providing tea, coffee and food at Council meetings over the last financial year (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016) was £6,783.
SDLP Councillor John Coyle has defended the bill for refreshments, telling this newspaper: “It’s nice to have a warm cup of tea or coffee.”
“We have very long meetings, a heavy agenda, to get through all the reports. We do be away from home an excessive amount of time and really councillors travelling from the far end of Omagh or Derrylin, a cup of tea and a biscuit is probably not very excessive.
“I’d only have one cup of tea and a biscuit and that would be the height of it. Normally I would have my dinner but when you are in a meeting and it’s a dark evening it’s nice to have a warm cup of tea or coffee and keep you going and give you a caffeine rush. The Council isn’t that extravagant with its biscuits but I have a sweet tooth so I am not too fussy. The tea is warm, it’s not like we have a selection of teas, like lemon or green tea. Tea is tea and you want it good and hot, that’s what most people want,” he said. 
Ulster Unionist Victor Warrington did not want to comment immediately, preferring to “crunch the numbers” first. Afterwards, the Erne East representative said: “It’s not a big issue, it works out about £120 a week. I know other Councils provide their councillors with hot food.”
“You have to remember that a lot of our councillors have full time jobs and are racing to the meetings without getting anything to eat. A cup of tea and a sandwich isn’t going to break the bank. The Council does not throw money around the place and does not spend it foolishly,” he said
Democratic Unionist Councillor Keith Elliott said he was “shocked” at the price of refreshments.
“I am partial to a cup of tea. I am shocked that it’s so much, to be honest. It will no doubt spark justifiable anger amongst many of our local ratepayers,” said the Enniskillen representative.
“The logistics of a councillor’s routine often leave us with no other choice but to consume refreshments within Council premises and often to the expense of Council. Despite this view, there can be no excuse for the current public expenditure on refreshments within Fermanagh and Omagh Council. As we are living in days when many are struggling to make ends meet, it is critical that Council now take the lead and review their expenditure in view of prioritising the people we represent,” he said. 
Sinn Fein’s John Feely said: “Most meetings are in the evening time and a lot of councillors come from work and have busy schedules. We’ve got to have something to eat and drink. Some of the meetings last three or four hours.”
Asked if he had a favourite biscuit, Mr. Feely replied: “A favourite biscuit? No, I don’t.”
Independent Councillor Bernice Swift said when the cost for refreshments is broken down over 12 months “it creates a minimal bill.”
“I definitely like an occasional cup of tea and chat at Council meetings, I never drink the coffee nor do I eat the biscuits as I am a strictly cake and buns person which are not on offer. I am not a big fan of sandwiches and so don’t avail of many of those. If it was up to me, the libation and sustenance offered at the Council would be very different and most enjoyable, alas that’s a vote unlikely to receive unanimous support as not everyone likes cupcakes and Prosecco,” she said, referring to the Italian white wine.