“WE don’t get a square meal!”

That was the claim from county council vice-chairman Eddy Alcock following yesterday’s revelation that lunch for councillors had been reintroduced at Endeavour House.

Mr Alcock said the picture used to depict a council lunch misrepresented the fayre on offer to members as they listened to briefings by chief executive Andrea Hill and other senior officers.

He said: “The picture on the front page depicts nothing that resembles anything I am offered prior to full Council.

“The only place I’ve seen square plates as in your picture is on the sales shelves in MAKRO. All I ever see prior to Council is a room, empty, except for tables with plates of sandwiches and personal plates the size of tea plates; not even any chairs, let alone Steak & Kidney Pie or Shepherds Pie!

“To describe what is put before us as lunch would offend the ‘Trades Description Act;’ the best you could call it would be ‘buffet refreshments,’ and you certainly need a square meal (pardon the pun!) later in the day.”

Other councillors, though, have said they enjoyed the kebabs and warm quiche that is on offer – although one senior Tory told me: “I’d heard about the shepherd’s pie but I have to go to the restaurant for that. I’m not that keen on the kebabs!”

They now fear less will be on offer following our story.

Labour group leader Sandy Martin added to his comments: “ I do not boycott the briefings by Andrea Hill or by other senior directors, it would be silly to do so, and I think I need something to eat in the middle of the day.

“Food provided as part of a “working lunch” is not free, it is part of the package.

“I do not feel it would be reasonable to charge people for a buffet which they would not ordinarily have chosen to eat.

“I do think the amount of the food could probably be reduced, but I really don’t think you can blame Jeremy Pembroke for that – it is always difficult to get these things right, but no doubt at future meetings the buffet lunches will be rather less lavish.”