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Post by Frenchie on Oct 6, 2009 14:31:09 GMT 1
TINS of sardines, Tesco sandwiches and travel bills for planning meetings on Christmas day were among councillors’ expense claims knocked back last year. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act revealed members had attempted to claim last year for around 100 meetings they were either not entitled to claim for, which they didn’t attend, or which never took place at all. Travel expenses forms submitted by 32 out of the 90 members show nearly every one had fuel claims for meetings knocked back, one close to £150, during the last year. On one occasion, a councillor tried to claim petrol costs for apparently attending a planning meeting on Christmas day. The expenses details follow a Liberal Democrat group motion stating it was “incumbent upon elected councillors to ensure they are not tarnished” by expenses scandals. Labour group leader Cllr Joe Anderson has called for an inquiry into how the system operates to establish why so many mistakes were being made. The most recent internal audit of the expenses and allowances system found it to be “adequate”, although “some recommendations” came out of the recent probe. But those who had claims knocked back said it was largely down to filing expense claims several months after the costs were incurred. Cllr John Clucas had travel claims of £148 rejected but said it was a council mix-up that led to the situation. More >>
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