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Bracknell councillors shame MPs with small expenses
By Lucy AllenJune 04, 2009
Councillors in Bracknell have put MPs to shame by claiming only small amounts on expenses, getbracknell can reveal.
A detailed analysis of expenses claims put in by Bracknell Forest borough councillors show many claim nothing at all to cover the costs of travelling to meetings or eating and drinking while on council business.
Even those who do put in claims appear to be scrupulous about keeping their expenses down and providing receipts.
And council policies on expenses are well policed by council officers, who seem to have no qualms in rejecting claims they consider to be unreasonable.
See the full list of councillor's expenses claims here.
The absence of extravagant claims is in stark contrast to the outrageous bills put in by many MPs, who have hit the headlines in recent weeks for claiming everything from moat cleaning and duck houses to paid off mortgages.
They will also shame Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay, who stood down as a Parliamentary aide to David Cameron last month after it was revealed he had abused the second home allowance scheme, then agreed not to stand at the next election.
Our investigation found that:
- 40 councillors calimed nothing at all and 37 did not charge for mileage.
- Top of the list for claiming subsistence money was council leader Cllr Bettison, who spent £4,842.13 of council money during the year.
He said his were the highest because of his frequent travel to London on behalf of the council and added he did not claim for taxis, trains or car mileage.
- Second on the list was Crowthorne councillor and small business champion Bob Wade, whose claims totalled £1,115.71.
His claims included a £3.90 sandwich from Pickles Sandwich Bar in Westminster and a ‘full English breakfast’, priced at £4.50, from Nizani’s Brasserie in Lisson Grove, London.
However, expenses officers refused to pay for a £46.80 first class train ticket in July 2007, offering to reimburse him only the £24.50 cost of a standard ticket.
- Cllr Phil Grayson recouped £3 for the cost of the park and ride bus in Reading.
Read more in this week's Bracknell Forest Standard.
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Most recent user comments 3 of 3
He said his were the highest because of his frequent travel to London on behalf of the council and added he did not claim for taxis, trains or car mileage.
I'm sure he has been frugal...must have been going to London on his bike if he isn't claiming expenses, must be fit and is it possible to see a complete itemised bill for all this....if he isn't claiming mileage or trains/taxis.. there is then an awful lot of money to account for...
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