County Hall's top man is to jet off on a three-week trip Down Under at council taxpayers' expense just weeks before he is due to retire, it was revealed today.
Chief executive Stewart Ashurst is to visit Australia and New Zealand at the start of next month.
He will squeeze the journey in just a month before stepping down from his £200,000-a-year post at the end of December.
County Hall last night defended the all-expenses-paid trip, which is being funded by council taxpayers.
Council leader Lord Hanningfield claimed fact-finding missions were "vital" for Essex to improve services and become a "leading-edge" authority.
He said: "Those in local government know that countries like Australia and New Zealand have some excellent examples of practice and innovation."
The trip comes as the council is struggling to cut costs.
More in today's Evening Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article