Expenses row over untidy claims
Published 21 May 2010 12:18
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Deputy leader of Scottish Borders Council Neil Calvert
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A NEW expenses row has reared its ugly head.
And it's all because untidy councillors have made a mess of their claims.
New transparent regulations over who claims what has forced Scottish Borders Council to publish detailed figures for each of its 32 members.
Although a summary was made available this week - the full picture won't go online until the Members Support Officer Pauline Bolson can make sense of them.
Deputy leader of Scottish Borders Council Neil Calvert said: "There is an inference that members tidy up their claims before they can be published."
Although yesterday's (Thursday's) full meeting was told that total allowances to councillors had dropped by 3.8 per cent - from £752,997 in 2008/09 to £724,201.69 for the past financial year - it emerged that several members had yet to submit mileage claims.
Lauderdale councillor Nicholas Watson said: "I have to admit I am not such good value as the report would suggest. I failed to get some of my travel expenses in on time and they are not included."
Chairman Ron Smith added: "You're not alone."
Leader David Parker earned the most with a salary of £32,435.89 and a total expense claim of £5,507.19.
Depute leaders Neil Calvert collected a total of £30,941.41.
Other Tweeddale councillors were Education spokeswoman Catriona Bhatia (£27,157.65), Sports spokesman Graham Garvie ((£23,753.47), Gavin Logan (£19,852.07), Willie Archibald (£19,513.32) and Bill Herd (£17,611.87).
Full details of councillors expenses are published on the local authority's website.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 21 May 10
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