COUNCILLORS might have to bring their own sandwiches instead of getting free meals when they meet at Oxford’s town hall next year.

Oxford City Council is currently consulting on its plans for the 2021-21 budget, which includes abolishing refreshments for councillors.

The council is currently served a meal when it meetings for a full council meeting, which usually happens once a month.

But cabinet member for finance Ed Turner said it does not ‘feel quite right’ to continue this in the current climate.

Mr Turner said: “At a time like this when we are taking some difficult decision and when our staff are going the extra mile, asking councillors to bring sandwiches to a meeting rather than have food provided by the tax payer seems like the right think to do.”

The end to meals is not the only cut in the proposed budget, which could also include less public money spent on security for May Morning celebrations, and council payments going ‘cashless’.

The council is forecasting a £29 million funding gap due to Covid over the next few years.

Anyone who lives in Oxford can currently take part in a consultation on the budget by visiting the Budget Consultation pages at oxford.gov.uk/budgetconsultation2021-22

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