Forgetfulness And a Slap Up Meal On Taxpayers’ money in Harrogate

You’ve seen it, you’ve heard it, and believe it you must—because this is the kind of nonsense that makes your blood boil.

At the full council meeting on February 26th, Cllr Jim Martin (Green), Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, responded to Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) by stating that 1,472 responses had been received regarding the public engagement on what should be done with Princes Parade.

Yet, just eight days later, in an interview with KMTV, Cllr Martin casually mentioned that nearly 2,000 residents had responded. That’s a staggering 25% increase in responses—conveniently forgetting that the public engagement exercise ended on February 16th. How does that even happen? Are we supposed to believe in magical response fairies?

But wait, it gets worse.

In October 2024, Cllrs Jim Martin and Tim Prater (Lib Dem), along with the Chief Executive, Dr. Susan Priest, decided to take a little trip to Harrogate in North Yorkshire for the Local Government Conference, which ran from October 22nd – 24th Oct. But of course, they couldn’t possibly arrive on an empty stomach. On the evening of October 21st, they sat and ate a meal at a gastro pub called Three’s is a Crowd, costing a cool £154—all on the council’s procurement card, as per the published Procurement Data for October 2024.

Now, let’s be fair—Cllrs Martin and Prater, along with Dr. Priest (pictured left to right, in case you forgot), surely needed to refuel after their long, arduous train journey. Who wouldn’t?

The Council’s Constitution, its so-called legal framework, states that councillors can claim subsistence—food, for the uninitiated. Here’s the kicker:

• Meals and accommodation should be pre-booked and pre-paid wherever possible.
• Subsistence expenses must be “necessarily incurred” while carrying out approved duties, at a place more than three miles from home.
• Claims should be for the actual amount spent, up to the maximum allowances:
  • Breakfast: up to £5.88
  • Lunch: up to £8.13
  • Tea: up to £3.21
  • Evening meal: up to £10.06
• In one day, a councillor can claim a maximum of £27.28.
• And, oh yes, no claims for meals provided free of charge.

But here’s the cherry on top: The Chief Executive’s decision on any matter of interpretation of the subsistence scheme is final. So, do we really think Dr. Priest is going to raise an eyebrow about a procurement card being used to fund a £154 meal for her and her colleagues? Of course not. And don’t hold your breath waiting for anyone to reimburse the council.

But wait—there’s more!

Cllrs Martin and Prater, along with Dr. Priest, also attended the Local Government Conference in Bournemouth from July 4th to 6th, 2023. Strangely, there’s no record of train fares, accommodation, or subsistence in the Procurement Card July 2023. So, did they pay for these expenses out of their own pockets? If so, why couldn’t they do the same in 2024? Or was a procurement card used? If so, where’s the data? Transparency, anyone?

Meanwhile, back in the real world, food poverty was skyrocketing and was running at 30 plus per cent in the district. While Dr. Priest, Cllr Martin, and Cllr Prater stuffed their faces with £50-a-head meals at Three’s a Crowd, in Harrogate residents were going hungry through no fault of their own.

So, here’s a toast to the council: drinks all around! And don’t forget to slap it on the procurement card—after all, it’s the ratepayers who’ll foot the bill. Cheers!

The Shepway Vox Team

Not owned by Hedgefunds or Barons