Investigation into Cllrs Expenses & Allowances underway.

One week ago today we brought you the blog post about Folkestone & Hythe District Council Cllrs Expenses & Allowances for the financial year 2017/18.

In the post we informed of you of anomalies regarding the Expenses & Allowance; and that this was the 3rd time in four years that there had been anomalies in Councillors Expenses & Allowances.

We now understand that an investigation into Cllrs Expenses & Allowances is now underway for the financial year 2017/18.

This has happened before when the Shepwayvox Team raised doubts around former Cllr Peter Simmons and Cllr Russell Tillson expenses and allowances claims.

In the final report produced by W.D Milne in Jan 2016 stated that:

• “the Audit report makes it clear in section 5 that the system of checking Councillors claims had been relaxed in the period of time leading up to the current case and had resulted in only spot checks being made.These spot checks did not detect the issue with regard to the Subject Member’s claim forms and hence the size of the amount over claimed had increased with the passage of time.”

Has the system of checking been “relaxed” again?  Of course, that cannot be answered until such time as the investigation has run its course and any report released.

This is the second time an investigation into Cllrs expenses and allowances has taken place in a little over two years. Surely, the Council should have learnt it’s lessons last time round, wouldn’t you agree?

Anyway, as soon as any report is published we will endeavour to bring it to you, the good people of Folkestone & Hythe District.

The Shepwayvox Team  – Dissent is NOT a Crime