Councillors' expenses investigation completed
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by political editor Paul
Francis
The results of an investigation into if county
councillors made expenses claims they were not entitled to is
expected to be published within weeks.
A report by the county council’s auditors into the
allegations is on-going and, according to the Audit Commission, is
expected to be fully concluded next month.
It centred on a complaint made by a member of the public
about certain claims made by senior county councillors, alleging
they were unlawful.
The complaints stemmed partly from claims made in relation
to the use of chauffeur-driven cars and taxis and the suggestion
there had been duplicate claims.
District auditor Darren Wells told members last
year he was following up a formal objection to the authority’s
annual statement of accounts and considering if it was necessary to
issue what is known as a public interest report.
The complaint has meant that KCC’s accounts for the year
have not been fully certified, although in his annual letter Mr
Wells said the sums involved "are not material to the financial
statements for 2010-2011" and have not prevented him issuing an
opinion.
Auditors are required to issue public interest reports
where they receive complaints about an authority’s
accounts.
Expenses claims made by KCC’s 89 members in 2010-11
totalled £1.85m of which most was for allowances. Some £121,117 was
paid out in mileage claims.
Wednesday, February 01 2012
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