The chief executives, some of whom ranked among the highest-paid public officials in the country spent public money on fine dining, expensive hotel bills, "corporate gifts" for staff and even self-help books.

  Thousands of pounds were charged to the taxpayer despite the heads “retiring” from their local authority, in some instances just a few months later.

The disclosures are contained in the financial records for 340 councils across England and Wales, obtained by The Daily Telegraph under freedom of information laws.

Expenses claims and credit card bills show that Maggie Mooney, the former CEO of Carlise City Council spent £85.12 on Amazon.co.uk for six self-help books six months before retiring.

Among her purchases included “Starting Up On Your Own: How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant or Freelance”, “What Color Is Your Parachute?” and “A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers”.


Mrs Mooney, who earned £104,462 a year, also spent £10.67 on a publication called “Talking to a Brick Wall: Why We Don't Believe Politicians & How to Make Them Listen to Us”.

Her expenses bills show the majority of the book purchases were made on January 31. She retired on August 26, having led a major restructure of the cash-strapped council, and is now advertising her services online as a consultant.

Mrs Mooney, 60, of Stanwix, Cumbria, also spent a total of £267 on champagne, whisky, wine, chocolates, gift wrap and gift sets as “leaving gifts for senior management” on her corporate credit card.

Ron Hilton, the former Staffordshire town hall boss charged exclusive hotel bills to his council credit card on 31 separate occasions, costing the public £5,416 while his council struggled to reduce its budget.

Mr Hilton, who was the highest paid Chief Executive in the West Midlands with a £242,842 a year salary, stayed at a string of five star London hotels including Millinnium Mayfair, Grosvenor House and the Park Plaza before his retirement in January last year.

Expenses claims and credit card bills show Mr Hilton stayed at the Millennium Mayfair on nine occasions between 2008 and 2010. The hotel describes itself as being “amongst the most elegant and luxurious Mayfair hotels”.

He also stayed at The Belfry, a golf and leisure resort in the West Midlands, and Combe Grove Manor, a Georgian mansion in bath.

Staffordshire is struggling to cut £136m in three years and has so far slashed £2.5m from children’s services, £2.2m from highways and £650,000 from road safety. Mr Hilton, 65, now operates his own consultancy.

John Foster, who was paid £210,000 to run Islington Council, in north London, before recently retiring claimed nearly £15,000 including more than £1,700 on his credit card entertaining other public officials at top local restaurants.

Mr Foster, who left the council in May, entertained other chief executives at restaurants such as the Almeida in Islington and Browns.

He treated the leader of Wakefield Council, his former employer, to lunch at the renowned Israeli restaurant Ottalenghi just before his departure in May and also dined at the Butlers Wharf Chop House, La Petit Auberge and the Fig and Olive.

Mr Foster, 63, drew heavy criticism for accepting a £545,000 pay-off when he left his job as chief executive of Wakefield Council in November 2007 only to take up his new post at Islington in April 2008.

Earlier this year this newspaper disclosed that town hall bosses presiding over spending cuts have run up credit card and expenses bills of £2.6 million since 2008, spending on items including golf days, spa breaks and first – class flights.

They showed that some bosses ran up tens of thousands of pounds in expenses and credit card bills on top of their six-figure salaries, despite being ordered to slash their pay and perks by Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary.

Other chief executives, some of whom earned more than the Prime Minister, used their taxpayer – funded expenses to pay for trivial items such as burgers, Christmas cards and biscuits.

Mrs Mooney claimed some of the books were bought in her role as “Mentor” to a council employee, who she did not name, while others were used as council resources. The books, she said, were bought before she knew she was going to retire.

In a statement issued through her former employer, she said the book about the councillors “did not reflect at all my relationship” with them although she found it “useful”.

She said the money was “legitimately spent on leaving presents” and was cleared by council officials.

The new administration at Staffordshire County Council condemned their former chief executive and pledged that officials would stick to cheaper alternatives in future.

Ian Parry, the deputy leader of the Tory council, said: “These expenses would not, and have not, been tolerated since we took control of the finances in June 2009.”

“We take seriously our job of representing Staffordshire people and this sometimes involves attending events and conferences. The hotel choice will, however, always offer the best value for Staffordshire taxpayers.”

An Islington Council Spokesman confirmed Mr Foster had left the council but declined to comment further.

Maggie Mooney’s books. £85.12

Starting Up On Your Own: How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant.

* What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual For Job-Hunters and Career Changers.

* Bounce: Use the Power of Resilience to Live the Life You Want.

* How to be Assertive in any Situation.

* Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World’.

* The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey – How management can effectively rid themselves of ‘monkeys’ – other people's responsibilities that cling to them and prevent them managing efficiently.

* £10.67 on a publication called Talking to a Brick Wall: Why We Don't Believe Politicians & How to Make Them Listen to U