Departing council boss David Panter has spent more than £4,000 entertaining dignitaries on his civic credit card this year.

The £145,000-a-year chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, who starts a new job in Australia next month, spent more than £2,000 in the chic Hotel du Vin in Brighton.

Today, council leader Ken Bodfish leapt to his defence saying: "Do you suggest these people should be taken to Joe's Cafe?"

The owner of the popular Joe's Cafe, in Upper Hamilton Road, said: "He doesn't know what he's missing."

Receipts obtained by The Argus reveal Mr Panter's entertainment has cost taxpayers more than £10,000 in the past two financial years.

Hotel du Vin now appears to be his favourite haunt, overtaking The Grand hotel, where last year he spent £381.20 on a dinner for six which included calf's liver and Dover sole.

In July last year, the Hotel du Vin, in Ship Street, was the venue for a workshop dinner for the Brighton Centre which cost £658.35.

General manager Lora Strizic said Mr Panter would be sorely missed when he left for Adelaide.

She said: "He is a valued customer, absolutely. Mr Panter is a pleasant and sociable guy who genuinely enjoys the Hotel du Vin.

"We are not cheap but for the quality of the produce this is good value for money.

"This is not the cheapest place to have breakfast, to have meals or go to a bar but the food we serve and the drinks are not what you will get from popping around the corner.

"The average pub would not have the wide range of beers and wine we can provide."

The council announced it would be tightening up on corporate credit card spending following an investigation by The Argus published a year ago today.

It appears some lessons have been learned.

As well as slashing a third from his total spend, down £1,890 from £6,056 to £4,166, Mr Panter's receipts for this year do not itemise individual dishes.

Last year, items such as roast partridge, foie gras and woodpigeon were listed.

Only the total bills are now recorded. They show that in 12 visits to Hotel du Vin he spent £2,001.70.

The Grand remained a popular venue for executive breakfasts at its Kings Restaurant, which cost £698.75.

Generosity is Mr Panter's hallmark, with waiters and bar staff being tipped a total of £297.33.

Mr Panter told The Argus: "The council has a very clear policy about the use of corporate credit cards and I have always worked within the rules.

"Part of my role is to attract business, which attracts jobs, which then gives people the money to live. Some years the amount will be higher and some years it will be lower."

Coun Bodfish said the business breakfasts and deluxe dinners were all part of championing the city.

He said: "As a public body, we have a responsibility to make sure the crucial economic life of the city is promoted. Part of the job of the chief executive of any large organisation - the council has a turnover of £600 million - is to understand the major players in the city.

"The way of business has always been that much of this is done at times other people regard as breaks.

"The economic life of this city has been facilitated enormously by the Hotel du Vin and it has brought in an enormous amount of business.

"Would you like the chief executive not to be seen in a place that plays such a crucial part in the life of the city?

"Do you suggest these people should be taken to Joe's Cafe?"