| The authority forked out £48,778 in 2008/09 on flights for staff to travel to destinations including the Taiwanese capital of Taipei and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Officials also visited San Francisco on another venture.
The authority today said the trips — which involved several different carriers including Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Cathay Pacific — were all made for “business” purposes.
Fife Council spent £118,548 on international travel in the same two-year period, during which officials made visits to Los Angeles and the Thai capital of Bangkok.
Information on the travel habits of officials at Perth & Kinross and Angus Council were not immediately available.
However, costs incurred by authorities such as Glasgow City and Aberdeen — which respectively spent £253,300 and £140,700 of taxpayers’ cash on travel during the last two years — has led to criticism.
Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, told the Tele, “The expensive jet-setting habits of our public servants are costing far too much and are clearly excessive.
“It is doubly unfair to taxpayers that many of the same officials who heckle us about environmental issues are then jetting off around the world.
“The majority of these flights should be cut out, and the bureaucrats involved should focus on solving the many problems we face at home.”
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council today said the local authority sanctioned international travel only when there was a benefit to be had.
He said, “Dundee City Council only uses air travel when it is necessary and when there is a benefit for the city.” |
