Enfield Council has defended its decision to send officers to a four-day property conference in the south of France.

Two council officers will attend the MIPIM conference in Cannes – billed by organisers as “the world’s leading property market” – from March 12 to 15.

The high-profile event on the French Riviera attracts property investors from around the world – and the council hopes to gain their backing for projects in Enfield.

Conservative leader Cllr Joanne Laban attacked the decision, saying: “When the Labour administration is looking to cut bin collections, is it right to allow officers to go to the south of France for a week?”

“Whilst they are being sponsored, it does not pay for the time they are spending at MIPIM – for example, hours or work that they would do at the council.

“The problem is the officers attending either are, or have been, in charge of the small sites project which has required a large bailout.

“This scheme has been doing on for nearly a decade. Yet it seems that it is fine for the Labour administration to allow officers to go for a week to the south of France.”

But the council says the conference will help to bring investment to Enfield and pointed out that other local authorities will be attending, along with delegates from the Greater London Authority and government departments.

Regional businesses are sponsoring the trip, meaning taxpayers will not pay a penny towards the cost.

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “Attracting investment to Enfield brings jobs and economic prosperity to local residents and businesses.

“The council’s presence at MIPIM is an effective means of putting development sites in front of the best developers and investors.

“The aim of the trip is to attract high-quality, sustainable investment in Enfield, create sustainable employment for residents and boost growth and the local economy.

“It is an opportunity to show Enfield is ready, willing and able to welcome global corporations, as well as smaller enterprises to the area.

“Enfield Council is keen to share its visions for the future and to listen to investors across all sectors to better understand their current drivers and how we can work together to unlock development opportunities.”