Town halls defend spending on pet cats, free-running ... and a wolfman

12 April 2012

Two London councils today defended spending thousands of pounds on free-running, cat boarding and comics.

Kensington and Chelsea spent £2,300 on a "wolfman" who uses "wolf-pack dynamics" to help with children's behaviour. A further £1,020 went to a fish tank firm and £1,860 on housing two cats.

Hammersmith and Fulham spent £1,388 on comics, £1,375 on wea-ther forecasts and £1,568 on free-running lessons for children. A bill of £2,218 was racked up at Hammersmith's Old Ship pub, often used for meetings.

The councils detailed all spending over £500 to be more transparent. Kensington and Chelsea does not accept the payouts were "frivolous". It said the "wolfman" had worked with children excluded from school: "Many have challenging behavioural problems and we use a variety of techniques to help them develop self-control."

The pets were looked after while the owner was in hospital, which the council has to do if no one else can help. The cash will be claimed back. The fish tank was at Violet Melchett Children's Centre.

Hammersmith and Fulham said: "If our openness reveals wasteful spending, we will act." The comics were for its libraries, and weather forecasts were used to plan winter maintenance.

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