A senior councillor has criticised the standard of his authority's £27.50-a-head meals and demanded an urgent inquiry.

Craig Turton, who speaks on transport issues for Brighton and Hove City Council, has asked chief executive Alan McCarthy for a review of the cost of councillors' refreshments at full council meetings, which came to more than £1,800 last year.

Coun Turton, vice-chairman of the environment committee, said: "You could not describe the meals as lavish or a luxury product. It's very basic.

"We never get anything like lobster. It's cold meat and salad or at full council meetings a choice of hot meals - a casserole in the winter perhaps. It's not exactly The Grand hotel."

Figures obtained by The Argus under the Freedom of Information Act revealed the city council ran up a bill of £16,725.69 for tea, coffee and food including biscuits, pastries and sandwiches at 94 meetings last financial year.

Councillors and officers were also treated to a two-course meal at five full council meetings and one budget meeting.

The menu included braised lamb or stuffed aubergines followed by chocolate and almond tart or vanilla cheesecake.

Coun Turton added: "I was quite astonished. I was not aware of the cost. It does concern me that the meals are that expensive.

"In particular, it is going to concern ordinary members of the public who will not understand the complexities involved in tendering contracts.

"Having spoken to boroughs in London, it does appear to be the going rate.

"Coming straight to a meeting after work I think it's unreasonable not to get anything to eat but I do think we need to look at the cost."

A council spokesman said the £27.50 covered not only the food but the cost of transporting it to the town hall, the fuel used to heat it and paying caterers to clear up afterwards.

The bill did not include drinks. A further £100.08 was spent on 48 litres of mineral water, £69.30 on 18 litres of tea and coffee and £35 on 14 litres of orange juice at full council meetings in the last financial year.

Ken Bodfish, leader of the council, said he did not normally eat the meals but would not say if their cost surprised him.

He said: "The costs reflect the market rate of providing catering in a such a venue as the town hall.

"What are the sensible alternatives? Should we have fully equipped catering facilities at Brighton Town Hall?

"Should we have all meetings at Hove Town Hall where there are catering facilities and then people from Brighton object to there not being council meetings in Brighton?

"Would you prefer us to have meetings that don't run into the evening which would disadvantage all those councillors who have occupations?

"Would you have us give councillors £1.50 for a bar of chocolate and half a cappuccino?"

Conservative councillor Peter Willows said: "I don't think the cost of the meals is anything to be alarmed about.

"I eat the food they produce and I don't think it's over-valued. The contractors have got to make a profit. I think people would be surprised to hear how much it is but it's not over the top."