A generous food and drink allowance for councillors and officers attending evening meetings could soon be taken off the menu.

Earlier this year, Merton Council was criticised for spending £6 per person on drinks, sandwiches and snacks at some meetings - with much of the food going to waste.

The £6 figure was revealed by the council’s general purposes committee - and the committee’s latest thoughts on the issue were published ahead of a meeting last night.

Its members, drawn from all of the borough’s parties, said they were “concerned” by the wastage and recommended in future, tea and coffee should remain free but other food should be paid for. They also said the menu of items available should be reconsidered - with instant soup a possible replacement for the food currently on offer.