A ROW has erupted over the need for Griffith City Council to participate in expensive overseas "junkets".

In the wake of council's community grant cut-backs and with the uncertain world financial climate, questions have been raised over the true value the trips bring to Griffith.

Doubts were aired at last week's council meeting, and came just weeks before Councillor Christine Stead was set to lead a local contingent on a 12-day business development and fact-finding visit to India.

Councillors were locked in a heated debate as they finalised the amount of ratepayers' money to allocate to cover Cr Stead's travel expenses.

Cr Bill Lancaster said he didn't think spending community money on an overseas "junket" was justified.

"I consider Cr Stead to be one of the hardest and conscientious workers on council and if rewards were handed out she would be entitled," Cr Lancaster said.

"But when it comes to the best use of the community's buck, Griffith City Council has a responsibility to ensure a direct benefit to the community and I can't see that here."

The matter closed with councillors accepting Cr Stead would pay for her own flights and accommodation but be reimbursed for meals and incidentals out of the current $6000 International Relations (India) Budget.

Cr Stead said she felt the decision showed councillors had little faith in her ability as chairwoman of the International Relations Committee.

"It is the principle, I am more than happy to pay for myself and I have, but given I am representing council as the chair of the International Relations Comm-ittee you would think I would be compensated for my accommodation," she said.

"I feel it has become personal and I am having second thoughts now about going because I feel as though councillors are questioning my capability to represent the council.

"This is not a holiday, it is not a junket. I don't think half of the councillors have even seen the itinerary � it is full-on."