More than £4,000 is being spent sending Kingston Council’s leader to the world’s largest property networking conference in Cannes.

Kevin Davis will attend the four-day MIPIM seminar in the French Riviera from March 15 to 18.

The conference gathers the most influential international “property players” looking to build or invest in office, residential, retail and industrial projects.

Speakers at the 1,630 Euro-a-ticket event include, Chris Grigg, the executive of British Land, the company behind the proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Eden Quarter in Kingston town centre.

The Kingston Futures website states the Cannes conference is “particularly relevant” to Kingston at a “time it is working with land owners, developers and investors to shape the physical character of the borough.”

It goes on to state: “Investors should have confidence in Kingston as a place where things happen.

"Major retail, leisure, residential and public realm improvements are underway or in the pipeline and Kingston Council are willing to listen and act, and have a reputation for being bold and innovative.

“If you’ve got a good idea and want to try it out, then rest assured Kingston is the place to be.”

More than 2,000 companies are exhibiting at MIPIM.

Cllr Davis said: “MIPIM is an opportunity to market how good a place Kingston is for those who wish to invest.

"We should be present to show we are wanting to help shape the future of the borough with high quality development, rather than becoming just another place in London.

“No leader of any council should apologise for wanting to see investment in the borough and I look forward to joining many other council leaders at this important event."

In October the council spent £13,000 attending the UK MIPIM in London’s Olympia, which was marred by protests outside.

Councillor Malcolm Self added: “To me it suggests that Kingston is the place to be to carry out untried styles and designs of development that may or may not lead to social disharmony in the future.

Kingston Liberal Democrat leader Liz Green added: “This is not a good time to be clinking glasses in the South of France.

"I think Kevin Davis should be sorting out the budgets problems in the borough rather than attending this conference."