LibDems call on councillors to refuse bloated mileage expenses (Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats)

Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats <info@westminsterlibdems.org.uk>

LibDems call on councillors to refuse bloated mileage expenses

November 15, 2006 8:56 PM

It's time for councillors to let the train take the strain

Westminster councillors are facing calls for them to agree not to claim the Council's generous car mileage expenses, and travel by public transport instead.

The Westminster Liberal Democrats are calling on all 60 local councillors to elect not to claim for car mileage, and instead use public transport when travelling on Council business.

Currently, Westminster councillors can claim up to 49.4p per mile, depending on the car's engine size. Drivers of the biggest cars can claim the most.

A hypothetical 1,084-mile roundtrip by road from Westminster to Aberdeen, for example, could net a councillor between £388 and £535 depending on their car's engine size.

Rail fares for the same journey start at just £12.90 for standard class and only £35.15 for first class, which would offer a massive saving. At £331, even the most expensive return ticket available between London and Aberdeen, a first-class open return, would be less of a burden for the taxpayer than a councillor driving in the smallest car.

Local Liberal Democrat Stuart Bonar said, "Councillors' travel expenses last year totalled just over £1,500, so it is not totally out of control. With 60 councillors in total, they cannot accurately be accused of milking the system. But what Liberal Democrats would like to see is an undertaking from all councillors not to claim for car mileage on principle.

"Not only can driving to events on official Council business be very expensive for the taxpayer, but it is also bad for the environment. Taking the train is much greener than driving. Plus the fact that the amount a councillor can claim goes up and up if they drive bigger cars is an affront to the environment.

"Coming from a Council that chooses to ferry its Lord Mayor around in one of the most environmentally unfriendly cars available I guess this should come as no surprise.

"I've read the Council's rules on this and there is a way for all councillors to reject allowances. They can write to the Director of Legal and Administrative Services and 'elect to forego for any period any part of an entitlement to an allowance'. The Liberal Democrats here in Westminster are calling for all councillors to do just that and to forego them for good - for the sake of the taxpayer and the environment."

Notes:

In the year to 31 March 2006, the following travel expense claims over £100 were made (all travel expense claims during the year were made by Conservative councillors):

Sir Simon Milton (Lancaster Gate) claimed £555.75

Sarah Richardson (Churchill) claimed £300.15

Cyril Nemeth (Abbey Road) claimed £195.13

Pamela Batty (Hyde Park) claimed £180.50

Brian Connell (Bayswater) claimed £113.20