2little2late
07-Feb-05, 22:52
TRAVEL BILL FOR NORTH COUNCILLORS IS £150,000
FERGUS MACNEILL
09:00 - 07 February 2005
Quote fromThe Press and Journal.
Tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money is being spent on sending Highland councillors to conferences across Europe, the Press and Journal can reveal.
Details obtained from Highland Council by the P &J under the new Freedom of Information Act show large amounts of public money being spent on a wide range of trips over the past three years.
The total bill to the taxpayer contained in three documents released by the council is almost £150,000.
Examples include a British Toilet Conference in Stratford upon Avon attended by Lou Wilkerson, former Easter Ross councillor, in the financial year 2002-03. The total cost was £491.28.
In 2003-04, Wick councillor Graeme Smith was at a district heating scheme conference in Finland at a cost of £1,153.14.
Highland Council defended the large sums being spent, and insisted trips were approved only by chief executive Arthur McCourt and relevant committees.
But the sums revealed have prompted calls from Highland politicians for proper audits to be put in place before decisions are taken to send elected officials on council business.
FERGUS MACNEILL
09:00 - 07 February 2005
Quote fromThe Press and Journal.
Tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money is being spent on sending Highland councillors to conferences across Europe, the Press and Journal can reveal.
Details obtained from Highland Council by the P &J under the new Freedom of Information Act show large amounts of public money being spent on a wide range of trips over the past three years.
The total bill to the taxpayer contained in three documents released by the council is almost £150,000.
Examples include a British Toilet Conference in Stratford upon Avon attended by Lou Wilkerson, former Easter Ross councillor, in the financial year 2002-03. The total cost was £491.28.
In 2003-04, Wick councillor Graeme Smith was at a district heating scheme conference in Finland at a cost of £1,153.14.
Highland Council defended the large sums being spent, and insisted trips were approved only by chief executive Arthur McCourt and relevant committees.
But the sums revealed have prompted calls from Highland politicians for proper audits to be put in place before decisions are taken to send elected officials on council business.