COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead to fund the Mayor of Wellington’s trip to the twin Portuguese town of Torres Vedras – albeit excluding alcohol and shopping expenses!

The Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, and her husband Ian have been invited to attend the Carnival in Torres Vedras as special guests and have already booked the plane flights.

“I am honoured to be able to represent Wellington Town Council and the town of Wellington at the Torres Vedras Carnival at the end of February,” she said.

But she asked the town council’s finance committee to consider paying the return airfare of £361.94 for the pair.

The request had prompted Cllr John Thorne to send the Mayor a list of nine questions about the trip and costs ahead of the meeting.

He said that he wanted to find out if it was an official visit or whether the Mayor and her husband were going to Torres Vedras as individuals. I’m ‘iffy’ about the whole thing,” he said. “If the Mayor funds the trip herself she shouldn’t be representing the town, but if we want her to represent the town council then we should be funding it.”

The Mayor, in a report, said: “After speaking to our twinning officials and members of our Carnival committee, I have established that a Mayor of Wellington has never attended the Torres Vedras Carnival even though the Mayor is always invited.”

The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, told councillors that a few years ago when he was hosting some Portuguese visitors they told him they were surprised that the Mayor of Wellington never attended their Carnival.

Cllr Lithgow said the Carnival was a major event in Torres Vedras and lasted for days rather than just the one-night procession we are used to in Somerset.

“It is a major event and a big deal for the dignitaries over there,” he added.

The finance committee unanimously agreed to fund the plane flights, along with the costs of getting to and from the airport, and an official gift from Wellington for the Mayor’s Portuguese hosts.

“We aren’t talking about funding the Mayor doing the rounds of Europe,” added Cllr Lithgow.

And he quipped: “We aren’t including alcohol and shopping expenses!”

The recommendation to support the Mayor’s Portugal plans was later verified by the full council.

Cllr Lithgow, in reference to the Carnival in Torres Vedras, said: “It makes Bridgwater Carnival look mediocre.”