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Thursday, May 24 2012

The Spending Files

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In the second of our reports on the use of Kent County Council's 'corporate' credit card, we look at more lunches, a half-mile taxi ride back to the office after lunch plus money spent on Google rankings for the ill-fated Kent TV project, which cost the taxpayer a total of £1.8m.

It all comes after a KM reader overheard council officers talking on the train and went digging for information. Today, our political editor PAUL FRANCIS looks into how KCC spends our money.

Councillor insists 'spending was justified'

Spending on awards ceremonies reported by the KM Group last week was justified, insists a senior councillor. READ MORE.

The boss's half-mile taxi ride

KCC's Peter Gilroy, one of the best-paid council executives in Britain, claimed back a £4.50 taxi ride back to County Hall after going to lunch round the corner. READ MORE.

KCC's £6k Kent TV credit card bill

A huge bill was charged to a credit card for payments to Google aimed at raising the profile of KCC's controversial TV station Kent TV. READ MORE.

The Editor's Blog: Careless talk costs

Our special reports on KCC spending have caused a stir among senior officers at County Hall. READ MORE.

Paul on Politics: KCC's flexible friends

There's a certain irony that the launch of KCC's transparency revolution has coincided with the publication of fresh disclosures by us of how taxpayers' money has been spent on corporate credit cards. READ MORE.

How YOU can help scrutinise your council

We're appealing for residents in the county to take a peek at Kent County Council's books and let us know what they find. READ MORE.

KCC starts 'transparency revolution'

Kent County Council has taken the first steps today towards what it says will be a transparency revolution - on the day the KM Group reveals perks enjoyed by its top officers. READ MORE.

KCC's spending revealed

Set in 22-acres of grounds, Chilston Park Hotel near Lenham enjoys a reputation as one of Kent's finest places to both stay and eat... READ MORE.

How a train passenger uncovered KCC's expenses

It was chance conversation on a train overheard by a passenger which led to today's revelations. READ MORE.

KCC's private members' club membership

The county council pays for membership of a private members club in the heart of the capital... READ MORE.

KCC splashes out for top restaurant meal

The taxpayer picked up the tab for a meal hosted by county council chiefs at an exclusive London restaurant that cost nearly £360, an investigation by the KM Group has found... READ MORE.

Thursday, September 23 2010

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Comments (10)

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nik wrote:

test lrkdev02 comments

21 Feb 2011 9:36 AM

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SB wrote:

It's just my opinion Edward that's all. I see today they're up in arms about Gilroy (who is long gone) spending £4.50 on a taxi. Again, is this really news? It is our hard earned money I agree and hopefully staff will now think hard before making such decisions but really, £4.50?

01 Oct 2010 4:10 PM

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Henry wrote:

I have to agree with SB here. Is any of this really news KM?

01 Oct 2010 1:28 PM

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edward wrote:

SB.All due respect,you say your bored with this constant criticism,why read the KM as a rate payer it annoys me to see money wasted when its my hard earned money.I enjoy reading whats going on in Kent and so do 1000s of other readers.

26 Sep 2010 12:49 AM

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SB wrote:

Edward, I'm not an employee of KCC. I just think some of this just isn't newsworthy. We're not talking millions of pounds and although yes further cuts could and will no doubt be made the KM are boring me with this constant criticism.

25 Sep 2010 8:38 PM

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Stuart wrote:

Tip of the iceberg .... The list is endless. A friend works for KCC and often reels off a list of items purchased. Board room tables costing thousands, push bikes for the staff to ride to work that no one used all locked up in new sheds blah blah blah it goes on and on

25 Sep 2010 7:40 PM

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anon wrote:

This sort of thing goes on everywhere, my sister works for a charity, that helps projects in the 3rd world, and low and behold, the staff go to the Four Seasons hotel for lunch, to discuss the starving millions.

24 Sep 2010 9:28 PM

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edward wrote:

SB Reading your comments are you by any chance a employee of KCC.It the top people in Kcc who are the ones who seems to have these lavish perks,no doubt if the cost came out of their pockets and not the rate payers it would a big mac and fries.

24 Sep 2010 6:45 PM

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Bob s wrote:

Well done KM for bringing this out in the open,the sooner these overpaid council people on expenses start to realise there is a recessiom and they need to cut this lavish lifestyle paid by us the better,lets hope they take note of public opinion,or will they just sack a few of the lower paid? so thet can carry on?

24 Sep 2010 6:22 PM

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SB wrote:

Clutching at straws for a story now it appears. This is nothing like the MP expenses and many of these KCC departments actually bring money into the council which you don't point out. Let's try supporting our council in these difficult times. Many employees probably buy your paper/read your newspaper/listen to your radio station and are probably considering giving this up should your campaign continue.

24 Sep 2010 4:51 PM

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