Angry councillors say they will boycott a champagne reception which was announced by Wiltshire Council in the same week that it cut 240 jobs.

Liberal Democrat leader Jon Hubbard has asked his group of 24 councillors to decline the invitation to the event, due to be held on April 29 at Bowood House, one of Wiltshire’s most exclusive venues. Last year’s event at Bowood cost £2,300.

The reception is held twice annually – once in the north of the county, and once in the south.

Brigadier Robert Hall, chairman of the council, will host it and organisations which work with the council will be invited.

Cllr Hubbard, for Melksham South, said: “I fail to see that after announcing 240 jobs are to be cut there is anything to celebrate. They are sacking staff and then planning to hold a party.

“I cannot understand how anyone could see it reasonable for councillors to be quaffing champagne and canapés at the public’s expense while making people redundant.

“Our group will not be attending these events and I urge all councillors of all parties to join us in boycotting this abhorrent self congratulatory booze up, paid for by cutting staff and services.

“It is right that we thank the partners that work hard alongside the council, but we should not be partying on the public purse.

“They could host this event at a fraction of the cost in County Hall. We have the venue, we have the caterers, and it’d be cheaper.”

Trowbridge Grove councillor Jeff Osborn said: “We were told there’s no money to fix potholes and to replace broken street signs, yet they can find money for this party.

“I’d quite like some of that money to spend in my area where it could really benefit people.”

Westbury North councillor David Jenkins added: “I believe it is totally insensitive when we have people losing their jobs.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “A provisional date for the next chairman’s reception at Bowood has been set in April 2011. Should the event be approved, it would be paid for out of the chairman’s fund, which is yet to be agreed as part of next year’s budget. This decision will be made in February.

“The likely cost for a reception, including venue hire, is around £2,000. This April’s reception was also held in Bowood and cost £2,300.

“The chairman uses this budget for civic activities during his/her year of office.”