IN the light of the scandal over MPs expenses claims, Poole council has published details of the its £500,000 annual payout in members’ allowances on its website.
Cllr Brian Clements, whose motion calling for greater transparency was voted down at February’s council meeting, is pleased with the U-turn.
“We need to do all we can to try and restore public confidence in politics,” he said.
“The anger over some ‘rotten eggs’ nationally can spread to us all.”
By law the council has to publish the information and does so in the Daily Echo’s sister paper, The Advertiser, once a year.
Other than that, to view the list of the 42 councillors expenses and allowances residents have to call in at the Civic Centre and ask to see them.
Last year, 2007/8, more than £503,836 was paid in basic and special responsibility allowances and members can also claim for a carers’ allowance, travel and subsistence.
Poole council leader Brian Leverett said in a statement the information was being published “following requests from members”.
Bournemouth council members’ expenses are due to be published in the Daily Echo on May 30.
See the expenses in PDF format by clicking below.
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