Richmond Council has splashed out more than £31,000 on trips abroad in the past five years.

A Freedom of Information request by the Richmond and Twickenham Times revealed that 57 people went on 27 overseas excursions funded by the council and racked up a total bill of £31,307.

The council’s travel bill was the highest in 2008/09, when taxpayers funded £14,960 on 13 trips to countries around the world, including Italy, Portugal, Poland, America, Germany, Denmark and Spain.

The visits included study trips to look at cycling provision, education, the European Parliament and to support adults with learning disabilities who receive the council’s residential care services on holiday.

In 2009-10 £4,956 was spent on one trip to Stockholm for five people, with the council’s total travel bill then falling to £2,291 in 2010/11 and £3,513 in 2011/12.

Eleven people from the authority made four visits to the borough’s twin towns of Fontainebleau in France, Richmond in Virginia and Konstanz, in Germany, since 2007/08.

The cost of these trips totalled £2,692, with £1,718, spent on flights. In almost all instances the host town footed the bill for accommodation and food.

The request asked for details of the hotels used and the type of rooms booked but this information was only disclosed for one visit to Konstanz in 2008/09 when two councillors stayed at the three-star Stad Hotel for two nights at a cost of £676.

The response to the request read: “There is very limited information on the hotel and food costs, as in almost all instances these were paid for by the host and therefore this information is not available.”

Councillor Geoffrey Samuel said travel was reasonable and he was proud to be part of a council that helped adults with learning difficulties go abroad.

He said: “The principal expenditure is on carers going with people with severe learning difficulties.

“None of them can travel alone. They have to have a member of staff full time with them. Not all but most of these visits are to see family.

“That is the sign of a compassionate council. We are giving them the chance for a trip of a lifetime.

“I don’t anyone could object to the amount spent.”

Leader of the opposition Councillor Stephen Knight agreed that the council’s total spend seemed modest.

Trips not funded by the council were not included in the information provided.