Stamp duty, watches, breakfast in Cannes:
How council chiefs spend your money
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz1ZvOtK
First it was MPs, then BBC executives - and now the sometimes comic, sometimes extravagant expenses of council chief executives have been revealed.
A Mail on Sunday investigation based on Freedom Of Information Act requests has laid bare the claims of more than 100 chief executives over the past four years.
The results reveal claims on council taxpayers of some £622,058.57. Apart from lavish meals, luxury hotel stays and millions of miles of petrol claims, the executives have been reimbursed for such delights as noodles, a sports watch, membership of a club 140 miles away and stamp duty.
Some claimed for items as trivial as a £1.30 soft drink, a 60p car park ticket and a car mileage request for 45p.
The expenses were filed as many authorities introduced big council tax hikes. Since Labour came to power in 1997, the average annual bill has more than doubled from £688 to £1,500.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz1JpfQt
The role of chief executive was introduced into local government in 1974 to mirror the heads of industry in the private sector.
They have grown steadily more powerful and now command six-figure salaries, with an average wage of £123,000. Sixteen pocket more than the £194,000 taken home by Prime Minister Gordon Brown each year.
Any council employee is allowed to charge the local authority for 'reasonable costs incurred while performing their duties'.
But council chiefs' expenses claims are signed off by local authority finance directors. As they are subordinate to the chief executive, some question whether they represent an effective safeguard against potential abuse.
Our investigation found most of the council executives appeared to remain within the rules. The average charge over the four-year period was £1,600 with many claiming only mileage.
However, critics argue that as many households were struggling to pay bills, some of the claims were inappropriate.
The most prolific claimant was Christopher Trinick, the former chief executive of Lancashire county council, who racked up more than £25,000 in a single year, including more than £1,100 on a council delegation's twonight hotel stay in London.
Expense accounts were also used to fund trips to a property conference in the South of France and two trips to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker called for a reform to the expenses system, adding: 'Some of these claims are completely indefensible.
'This tawdry tale of junkets and jollies for people earning almost a quarter-of-a-million pounds a year is matched only by their pathetic attempts to claim back 60p parking tickets.'
Dinner for the How2 Star
WHO: Nick Hodgson, chief executive, Derbyshire County Council.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz1D54Qy
SALARY: £140,000. TOTAL CLAIMS: £9,521.30.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,603.34.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Excellent.
HISTORY: Joined the authority after graduating from Manchester University more than 30 years ago.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: £3,601.55 on 'entertaining', including £457.80 wining and dining an obscure childrens' TV presenter at the Maazi curry house in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Mr Hodgson took Gareth Jones, right, who used to present the long-running science show How2 on ITV, for three meals to thank him for fronting the Derbyshire Young Achievers Awards. Several other officials were in attendance each time. He also clawed back an astonishing 45p mileage claim for a single journey.
WHAT HE SAYS: 'The restaurant bills were for meals for Gareth, volunteers and staff members who gave up their time to support the event in each of the past three years.'
Two trips to China
WHO: Mary Ney, chief executive, Greenwich Council.
SALARY: £182,000.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £8,017.35.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,559.63.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Good.
HISTORY: Joined in 2000 from Harrow Council, London, where she was director of social services.
WHAT SHE CLAIMED: Enjoyed two trips to Beijing on the taxpayer during the 2008 Olympics. She claimed £5,352 'travel expenses' including £4,790 on business-class flights, £1.83 on a single taxi fare in China, £74 on a taxi from Heathrow Airport to Woolwich, South London, and £59 for nine tins of biscuits 'as a gift to the Chongwen District of Beijing'.
WHAT SHE SAYS: 'The visits were to promote inward investment, education and cultural exchange.'
£324 ON NOODLES
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz15XKf0
WHO: James Hehir, chief executive, Ipswich Council.
SALARY: £111,000.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £11,907.55.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,888.77.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Good.
HISTORY: Previously in charge of the Bluewater shopping centre development in Kent.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: £1,494.85 on taxis and £324.85 for a 'team-building' dinner for 20 employees at the Mizu Noodle Bar in Ipswich, where £324 can buy you 50 portions of pork noodles.
WHAT HIS SPOKESMAN SAYS: 'Mr Hehir wanted to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of the team behind the establishment of Ipswich's customer service centre.'
£635 on relocation
WHO: Joe Duckworth, chief executive, Newham Council.
SALARY: £240,000.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £3,219.77.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,517.00.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Satisfactory (in previous role at the Isle of Wight).
HISTORY: Chief executive of Isle of Wight Council for less than 18 months between 2006 and 2008.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: 'Relocation allowances' of £635 when moving from the City of Westminster Council to the Isle of Wight.
The perk did not persuade him to stick around for long; less than 18 months later he was off to lead Newham Council in East London.
WHAT HE SAYS: 'This was a reasonable cost that covered second-class rail tickets between London and the Isle of Wight during the move.'
'Efficiency Meal'
WHO: Stephen Hughes, chief executive, Birmingham City Council.
SALARY: £210,000.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £5,709.35.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,491.54.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Satisfactory.
HISTORY: Joined Birmingham from Brent Council, North London, where he had been finance director, in 2004. Mr Hughes, pictured left promoting the council's star ratings, became chief executive in 2006.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: £483.30 for a dinner meeting to discuss how to achieve 'efficiency savings' at the council.
He entertained seven other council employees at Opus in Birmingham - a 'stylish, contemporary British restaurant' whose menu includes roasted Cornish monkfish with a ratatouille of vegetables and sweet basil, and fillet of Scottish beef with dauphinoise potatoes and wild mushroom sauce.
But Mr Hughes is not averse to making small claims. He once clawed back £1.30 for a soft drink bought for a councillor at a Birmingham City football match.
WHAT HE SAYS: Refused to comment.
A £644 hotel stay
WHO: Sir David Henshaw, former chief executive, Liverpool City Council. Now chairman of NHS North West Strategic Health Authority.
SALARY: Refused to disclose, although left council in 2006 with £340,000 'golden goodbye'.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £31,841.77.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,838.44.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Satisfactory (in 2006).
HISTORY: Variety of senior Whitehall roles including adviser to the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, director of the National Offender Management Board and adviser to the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: £644 for three nights at The Dorchester hotel, below, in London to attend a human resources awards ceremony. The Dorchester is one of the world's most famous hotels and was a favourite of the late Princess Diana.
At the other end of the spectrum, Sir David also claimed £2 for a Mersey Tunnel toll.
WHAT HIS SPOKESMAN SAYS: 'Liverpool was in the finals at the HR awards, and Sir David was invited to attend by the organisers.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz0zAAvr
£57 Breakfast
WHO: Gillian Beasley, chief executive, Peterborough City Council.
SALARY: Refused to disclose.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £11,966.93.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,291.70.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Good.
HISTORY: Formerly head of legal services at Cambridgeshire County Council.
WHAT SHE CLAIMED: £280.35 for a meal at Birmingham's Bank restaurant. Her itemised bill included chicken parfait, duck breast, seared scallops and four bottles of wine. In March 2007 she visited the MIPIM property convention in the South of France, which claims to 'bring together the most influential players in the global property sector'.
While there, Mrs Beasley, right, enjoyed breakfast for 66 euros (£57) at the Hotel Embassy, above, in Cannes, and
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz0thxJi
charged the taxpayer 110 euros (£95) for taxis. In September last year, she also claimed £1,363.70 for return flights to Toronto, Canada.
WHAT SHE SAYS: 'This claim was for one meal [at Bank], on one night of a three-day conference. It was a meal for approximately seven people which represents £40 per person. The aim of the Cannes trip was to get property links for investors in Peterborough.'
£1,949 ON TAX
WHO: Ruth Bagley, chief executive, Slough Council.
SALARY: £140,000-plus'.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £5,878.72.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,613.36.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Good.
HISTORY: Chief executive of South Hams Council, Devon, until 2007.
WHAT SHE CLAIMED: Charged the taxpayer stamp duty of £1,949 and solicitors' fees of £1,393 when she bought a £200,000 flat in December last year. The fees were part of a relocation package worth £5,500, all claimed on expenses. Last night, Slough Council said it would review the policy.
WHAT SHE SAYS: 'It is a reimbursement of expenditure in accordance with the exemption allowed by HM Revenue and Customs.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz0njFGL
£2,100 BILL TO JOIN A CLUB
WHO: Carolyn Downs, former chief executive, Shropshire Council.
SALARY: £164,000 (when she left in 2008).
TOTAL CLAIMS: £10,312.80.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX: £1,230.80.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Excellent.
HISTORY: In charge at Shropshire for five years. Left to become deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice.
WHAT SHE CLAIMED: Downs, pictured below, billed ratepayers £2,102 for corporate membership of the Royal Overseas League (ROSL) in London - 140 miles from her council's head office in Shrewsbury.
ROSL members have use of the clubhouse next to The Ritz hotel with en suite bedrooms, restaurants, bar and a garden backing on to Green Park. Members are also offered tours of Buckingham Palace.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz0h9j7c
She also claimed 60p for parking.
WHAT HER SPOKESMAN SAYS: 'The ROSL provides very cost-effective accommodation in London, which was used by the chief executive to save on the cost of hotels.'
£1,200 just on phone calls
WHO: Christopher Trinick, chief executive, Lancashire County Council (2002 until 2008).
SALARY: £192,000.
TOTAL CLAIMS: £25,493 in a year.
AVERAGE COUNCIL TAX: £1,339.20.
AUDIT COMMISSION RATING: Good.
HISTORY: Formerly head of education at Solihull Council, West Midlands.
WHAT HE CLAIMED: £1,115.74 on two nights at the five-star Royal Horseguards Hotel in London.
The council said it was for a delegation for a meeting of the Association of Council Chief Executives. He also claimed £1,296 for phone bills.
WHAT HIS SPOKESMAN SAYS: 'Chris Trinick paid the hotel bills of seven council employees on that trip - it wasn't all spent at the bar.'
And that's not all...
Carole Hudson, chief executive of St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, clawed back £56.40 for car hire in London. She and the Mayor of St Helens drove to Twickenham to watch St Helens rugby league team in the Challenge Cup final.
ROGER KELLY, the £191,000-a-year chief executive of Gateshead Council, claimed £84 on taxis for a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London.
LEE ADAMS, who earns £107,000-a-year as head of North East Derbyshire District Council, asked for £1.20 for a 'bus to the train station'.
IRENE LUCAS, chief executive of South Tyneside Council, charged £6.99 for a corporate self-help book called Maverick.
ALAN MELLOR, former chief executive of Ashfield District Council, claimed £125 for a Barigo sports watch for a leisure centre manager 'in recognition of his work'.
DAVID WHEATCROFT, the £122,000-a-year chief executive of Derbyshire Dales District Council, claimed back a £10 'helicopter landing fee' he had to pay when collecting Prince Andrew from the Derby Aerodrome in 2006.
The Prince was attending a function at the Toyota car plant in the East Midlands.
GED FITZGERALD, who earns £195,000 a year as chief executive of Lancashire County Council, used his expenses account to pay £4,333.98 to hire a car between July and December last year.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208439/Stamp-duty-watches-breakfast-Cannes-How-council-chiefs-spend-money.html#ixzz0Oz0aqLBY
Posts
