Expenses

As our Parliament is going into meltdown, it can only be a matter of time before other areas where public money is spent come under scrutiny. Council Chief Executives appear to be the next to have to publish their claims.

Whilst I work in Local Government, and am part of that through the Parish Council, I have to believe that Local, rather than Central Government will come out of this rather better.

For one, local government accounts and books, whether they are at the Parish, District or County Council level are open for inspection by the public in the period running up to the annual audit.

Secondly, Councillor allowances and expense claims are published annually. County and South Cambridgeshire District figures are published online, as well as in the press. Some Councillors,  such as David Jenkins, have taken to publishing their expenses in detail as well!

Finally, at the Parish level, payment of expenses is always a decision taken by Councillors – and the Councillor claiming is never present when that decision is taken.

Yes, I do claim expenses – but apart from a nominal contribution to telephone and Internet costs only against receipts, or if travelling some way from the Parish. I’m a volunteer – I’m trying to make a difference for my community – I don’t get an allowance, and am happy to cover most of my costs!