By Rachel Charman
Cllr Graham Longley
Graham Longley, leader of the Liberal Democrat councillor group and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rochford and Southend East, has teamed up with Independent councillor Ron Woodley in an investigation.
Cllr Longley told Councilbust.com that in the light of some information he recently received, he and Cllr Woodley have asked the Town Clerk and the Internal Auditor to investigate the travel expenses claims of some council members.
As of yet, those members remain anonymous.
Cllr Longley said: “Following the recent Parliamentary expenses scandal, members of the public have a right to expect all politicians to behave responsibly, ensuring they are open and transparent in any financial claims they make.
“If they think for one moment that the system is being manipulated then they also have the right to have the matter investigated.”
The total of all expenses claims for all Southend councillors in the last financial year was £7,000. Cllr Longley claims that there may have been “irregularities” with some councillors’ claims.
Cllrs Longley and Woodley have also asked the Borough Solicitor to investigate the rules regarding expense claims, and check for any loopholes or laxities.
Cllr Longley said: “In the current political uncertainty where trust in politicians is limited it is important that we do not appear to put ourselves above the law by pursuing questionable expenses claims.
“Politicians must be conscious of current public opinion and act accordingly.”
Cllr Woodley said: “Members are given a significant allowance for being Councillors and travel expenses are just an increase on the amount they receive for carrying out that role.
“This is unacceptable and we should withdraw the payment of any travel expenses claimed for journeys within the Borough boundaries.”
No Labour councillor in Southend has claimed travel expenses this year – and we’ve claimed very little over the past five years. I’ve never claimed for anything above the allowances.
We think that, as a matter of policy, the council should not reimburse travel expenses within the borough. We all get an allowance which is generous enough.
If someone has a legitimate reason to travel a distance outside the borough on council business, that should be reimbursed. However, it seems very petty to claim money for travel within the borough, as all of us are supposed to be living or working within the borough in any case as a condition of office.