The expenses of Nottinghamshire county councillors could be reviewed after two members claimed more than £3,000 in travel costs each. Figures just released for the year ending March 2023 showed nearly £44,000 was claimed in expenses by members of Nottinghamshire County Council last year.
The two highest claims were made by Conservative councillors Tracey Taylor and Boyd Elliott. Councillor Taylor, who serves as the Cabinet Member for Children and Families and represents Misterton, claimed £4,877.18 in expenses.
Councillor Taylor pointed to her cabinet role and the distance she has to travel to County Hall when defending her claims. Councillor Elliott, who represents Calverton, does not hold a cabinet position on Nottinghamshire County Council, but said his £3,472.55 expenses claim related to his work with outside bodies and charity work.
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Despite these statements, the Independent Alliance opposition group at Nottinghamshire County Council called for a review to be held into the expenses claimed by councillors. The issue was raised at a meeting of the council's overview committee on Thursday (May 18).
Councillor Steve Carr, a Liberal Democrat who is part of the Independent Alliance, said: "Can we have a look at how much councillors are claiming in mileage expenses?" He said some had "claimed enough to enough over the last two years to drive to the Great Wall of China and back."
He added: "I think the disparity and the huge discrepancies and differences between different councillors needs to be looked at. I appreciate that some will have duties that take them to schools and visits to people's homes, but that's not always the case and I just wonder how much scrutiny is being done with regards to these claims."
Councillor Philip Owen, a Conservative who is the Chairman of the council's Governance and Ethics Committee, responded: "Travelling expenses falls under the remit of the Governance and Ethics Committee. I am sure we will be delighted to have a look at that at some point if that is a pressing issue."
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Carr said: "It is imperative that the council do a formal investigation into the difference in councillor's mileage claims. Councillor Elliott alone claimed over three times more than the entire Independent Alliance group and this needs serious investigation."
Overall, expenses claims for the 2022/23 year include £35,206.42 made across the council's 35 Conservative members. There was £7,281.10 claimed by Labour councillors and £1,189.70 by the Independent Alliance.
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