By Steve Nolan PUBLISHED: 09:00 EST, 18 December 2012 | UPDATED: 11:49 EST, 18 December 2012 Welcome: Councillor John Lines the new Lord Mayor of Birmingham at his £27,000 Mayor-making ceremony in May A banquet to welcome a cash-strapped city's new Lord Mayor has cost the taxpayer a staggering £27,000. A total of 425 guests donned formal wear and enjoyed drinks and a three-course meal as Tory Councillor John Lines became Lord Mayor of Birmingham, West Midlands, earlier this year - all at the expense of the city's council. The authority, which faces crippling funding cuts, will now look at slashing costs for next year's event with front-line services said to be under threat.
@highlight
A lavish banquet was thrown for new Birmingham Lord Mayor John Lines
@highlight
The authority has set up a committee to look at cutting costs next year
@highlight
The bill looks extravagant when compared to other major UK cities
Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham
'Preserving tradition is one thing, but this event should be funded by sponsorship rather than the bill being left to hard-pressed @placeholder families.'