Council officials spent more than £3,000 attending conferences and awards ceremonies during the past three years, it has been revealed.

The spending, by Hertsmere Borough Council, was published on The Daily Telegraph's website last week following a freedom of information request by the national newspaper.

The request, for details of credit card spending of more than £500 during the past three years, revealed that the council's chief executive twice travelled to a national conference at a cost of £665 each, in 2008 and 2009.

The cost was the price of the ticket at the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) conference.

Two council officers were also put up in a Harrogate hotel at a cost of £911, while they attended a three-day Local Government Association conference in July 2009.

Donald Graham, chief executive at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “Both the LGA and SOLACE annual conferences provide great opportunities to share best practice.  There is a wealth of knowledge and experience from around the country at these events so it’s a fantastic forum to discuss ideas for improving services for the benefit of council tax payers."

Nine council officials were also put up in a Bournemouth hotel at a cost of £870 so they could attend an awards ceremony.

The Green Flag awards, at which the authority was handed five prizes for its parks and green spaces, took place in July 2009.

The information also revealed that the authority spent £530 entertaining 17 German officials at Blue Check restaurant, in Bushey High Street, after the opening of the Bushey Rose Garden.

The dignitaries had been invited to attended the opening in August 2010.