Council leaders have been accused of “Emperor Nero-style largesse” over plans to install a £16,000 cooling system for their office.

Sutton’s Liberal Democrat leadership opted for the new heating and cooling system after staff were unhappy about the air quality in the Leader’s Office.

The council said the age of the building, which was built 30 years ago, and of the ventilation system meant it often overheated.

A council spokesman said: “The heating and cooling system is not working as well as it should in a number of areas including the Leadership Office, with air quality that is poor and a difficult working environment and as an employer we have a duty to provide an adequate workplace for staff in the Leader's office.”

He explained the windows in the civic offices were sealed and so staff were unable to open them to bring in fresh air.

But opposition Conservatives have reacted angrily to the news, claiming staff should make do with fans.

Paul Scully, the council’s leader of the opposition, said it was made worse by the fact many of the borough’s council houses were substandard.

He said: “I’m shocked and angry that the Lib Dem council leader is planning on billing the taxpayer for over £16,000 to pay for his luxury air conditioning after the devastating news for council tenants – frankly, it’s Emperor Nero-style largesse, while Rome burns.

“This rubs salt into the wounds of tenants who have been sentenced to yet more years of living in substandard homes, missing out on Government funding because of long-term under-investment in our council housing.”

The council said it had invested £2m in repairs and rennovations on properties last year and was “pressing Government with the LGA, London Councils and the Mayor of London, to reinstate the vital decent homes funding that would have been awarded to Sutton later this year”.

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