Wednesday, May 20, 2009

My Councillor Expenses for 2008/9

Many have asked about the expenses that I have claimed as an East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor. I receive a basic councillor allowance of £10,574.00 plus an additional allowance of £8,472.01 as Chairman of the Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team.

Most weeks I work more than 40 hours in my role as an East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor.

I am able to reclaim expenses to cover the cost of travel when on council business and also food or subsistence. I am also entitled to an IT allowance to purchase computer equipment over the 4-year term of office, and an annual IT maintenance allowance.

I represent one of the largest wards geographically in the East Riding that stretches to 15 Parishes. As Chair of the Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team I cover an additional area including places as far south as Adlingfleet, and west to Snaith and Gowdall. During 08/09 I have driven almost 6,000 miles as a Councillor, many of which have been to evening meetings, in addition to the day time meetings at County Hall, and site visits as part of my role as a member of the planning committee.

In the year 08/09 I have claimed and received total of £2,992.71 (which is subject to tax) relating to travel on council business, for which detailed claim forms and receipts were submitted.

I have claimed no expenses for food or subsistence whatsoever, as I would not ask the taxpayer to feed me.

I have been paid £142:00 IT maintenance allowance.

As a further measure of the work as a Councillor, I have received 6,853 emails and sent 2,737 from my personal Councillor email address since being elected in May 2007.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear someone in public life isn't milking us.

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you haven't claimed for food Paul, I've seen how much you eat - we couldn't afford it! Only joking!

John Jessop said...

On the subject of financial waste. What is the story behind the multitude of signs springing up along the motorway and A63 into Hull? They only duplicate in a more expensive way the small kilometer pegs already present!
God only knows the true cost of these things and the amount of metal, concrete, man-hours and coning off costs to instal.