LEAKED details of expensive meetings for officials, paid for by the hardworking taxpayer, seem to be turning into a rather too regular occurrence.

It started with a tip-off a month or so ago about county council transport officials and their £4,500 stay at Heythrop Park. Then we had a health worker leaking details of a £12,000 meeting of health bosses at the four-star Oxford Belfry Hotel.

And now the latest group to find themselves under scrutiny for a very expensive meeting is Oxfordshire’s headteachers.

Of course it is important to network. And most headteachers work above and beyond for the sake of our youngsters’ education.

But the key question is why did 180 or so people – all from Oxfordshire – need to go all the way to Stratford-upon-Avon to do so?

As these times of austerity bite, families are looking at their budgets and trying to find ways to run their households more efficiently.

So publicly-funded officials should also check they are making the best use of our money.

Surely the conference could have been held in the county where its attendees live and work, meaning less need for expensive and unnecessary overnight stays.

We hope other officials planning lavish away days or costly meetings sit up and take note.