A cash-strapped council has spent more than £350,000 on an office refurbishment, including new furniture.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is carrying out a refurbishment of the fourth floor of its Civic Centre headquarters, which it says is needed to meet 'modern standards'.

The council has spent £272,000 on the refurb so far, along with £82,000 on new furniture and electrical upgrades. In addition to this, the council has been carrying out essential roof repairs at the Civic Centre, which have cost a further £169,000.

The authority said this was 'critical maintenance that could not be delayed'. But opposition councillors have criticised the decision to spend money on things like new office chairs when the council has had to request more than £60 million in emergency bailout loans over the last three years.

Councillor Dan Jellyman, leader of the Reform UK group, does not believe the refurbishment is a good use of taxpayers' money.

He said: "At a time when the public is facing a cost of living crisis, councils spending money to make themselves more comfortable is not responsible stewardship of taxpayers' money.

"The fact that Labour councillors signed this off whilst asking for their third bailout in a row shows they haven't a clue."

A city council spokesperson said the spending on new furniture and power will ensure staff have 'appropriate equipment and infrastructure', while the roof repairs will allow the Civic Centre to remain safe and operational.

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The spokesperson said: "Staff need a suitable and safe working environment, with the right facilities and equipment to carry out their roles effectively and provide services to residents.

"The Civic Centre's fourth floor hasn't been substantially refurbished for over 20 years and required updating to meet modern standards and health and safety requirements.

"Other floors within the building have been refurbished over time, but the fourth floor needed work to bring it up to the standard expected for a modern workplace."