An argument over local politicians being sent to overseas conferences at ratepayers expense has spilled over at Ards and North Down Council.
At the full monthly meeting of the local authority on Wednesday (July 7), councillors clashed during a discussion surrounding the council’s decision to send an elected representative to a conference by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).
APSE is a membership-owned organisation which maintains and develops a network of local government officers, managers and councillors from local authorities. The council report, which recommended attendance at the conference, states the organisation “supports local authorities to develop strong and sustainable public services.”
