Following on from the revelations about the increase in the number of gifts and the amount of hospitality being accepted by some York Councillors, figures have emerged about the costs of the travel that they are undertaking.
There has been a long tradition of openness at the York Council about expenses. Lists are published each month on their web site with a summary produced at the end of each year.
Last years produced no surprises with the amounts claimed being modest. The trend continues with the monthly reports which can also be found on the Councils web site
The Councils says on the web site, “As part of our commitment to be open and transparent we will publish Councillors’ expenses and allowances on a monthly basis”.
Strange therefore that it has taken dogged work by one back bench Councillor to reveal the true cost of expenses being claimed by some of the Councils “Cabinet”.
A total of over £6000 has been paid to cover travel costs. The payments do not appear on the Councils web site, but were released following questions raised at the Council meeting held in December. Most of the 200 journeys in themselves are unexceptional although some will question why a Councillor earning around £30,000 a year needed to have a £3 train fare paid for by taxpayers.
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£40 on taxi fares to Huby seems a lot as does a similar amount for a taxi to Sand Hutton.
Few will however doubt the value of the £251 spent on a one way train ticket from London to Leeds which allowed the Council Leader to meet Nick Clegg.
In total Cllr Alexander has accumulated £2492 in travel costs. Cllr Laing cost £1516, Cllr Crisp £669, Cllr Gunnell £482, Cllr Merrett £351 and Cllr Leven £165.
In future, the Council should for completeness, make sure that these costs are included in the monthly expenses returns that it publishes on its web site.
A full list of costs is published below.
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