ESSEX County councillors scoffed their way through more than £20,000 worth of free food at County Hall last year, new figures have shown.

The county council has released an individual breakdown of the cost of food eaten per councillor for 2013/14.

Top chomper was Rodney Bass, Tory councillor responsible for highways, who ate £995 of free meals from the restaurant at County Hall, followed by council vice-chairman John Aldridge on £986.

There are 75 serving councillors, but the list is made up of 122 people, as it includes former members voted out in May.

Twenty-three councillors had no free meals, while the lowest amount eaten was £3.21 had by former county councillor Mick Skeels.

County councillors can also claim for subsistence while on the move and a total of £1,183 was claimed, giving a total of £20,674 on food for the year.

Halstead Gazette: James Abbott

Boycott: Green Party councillor James Abbott

The figures were released after Green Party councillors, who have boycotted the system, argued for their release. The system is now under review.

A county council spokesman said: “Essex County Council recently agreed to ask its independent remuneration panel to look into and make recommendations on members’ allowances and meal provision.

“They will report back to a future meeting of full council, which will then debate the findings.”

James Abbott, Green group leader, said : “The details show great variation between councillors, as would be expected. But it also reveals some councillors have benefited from approaching a thousand pounds worth of meals.

“We welcome the decision to now publish full details of the meals taken by councillors – an omission we have repeatedly questioned.

“This is the latest in a series of reforms which is slowly but surely moving Essex County Council into the twenty first century.

“As well as the publication of the meals details, the success of the Green group motion last week means the way that meals are paid for will be reviewed.”

Halstead Gazette: Light bites - Macaroni cheese

Chef's special: Macaroni cheese

Former county council chairman, Kay Twitchen, who had £776 of food last year, the fifth highest, said: “I was surprised by my figure, but it showed how busy I was as chairman. You would be somewhere in the morning, pop into County Hall to check emails and for lunch, and then somewhere else in the afternoon.”

She said food needed to be provided to save councillors time, but if the review meant she had to pay in future it would be fine.

Councillors enjoyed hot two course meals.

Simple dishes such as macaroni cheese were on the menu, as well as a selection of desserts.

As well as hot meals, cold cuts of meat, cheeses and fruit were also on offer.

James Abbott, leader of the Green Party in Braintree and county councillor for Witham Northern, said: “It’s normally meals like macaroni cheese and pasta, that sort of thing.

There isn’t any alcohol on offer, but there is tea and coffee available.

“It is basic hot meals, but they are great platefuls and you can go back for seconds.”

Top chompers chart

Halstead Gazette: Transport boss - Rodney Bass. (41173-a)

Top chomper: Rodney Bass

RODNEY BASS (Con) Heybridge and Tollesbury: £995.15

JOHN ALDRIDGE (CON) Broomfield and Writtle: £986.50

ANN NAYLOR (Con) Brentwood Rural: £812.20

ROGER WALTERS (Con) Three Fields with Great Notley: £786.21

KAY TWITCHEN (Con) Billericay and Burstead: £776.50

JOHN JOWERS (Con) Mersea and Tiptree: £704.13

DERRICK LOUIS (Con) Witham Southern: £648.01

ANNE BROWN (Con) Constable: £634.50

KEVIN BENTLEY (Con) Stanway & Pyefleet: £552.02

KEITH BOBBIN (Lab) Pitsea: £524.70