First Class Fiddling
The local newspapers in South Lanarkshire are full of reports about councillors fiddling their expenses - on an industrial scale allegedly.
Fiddling expenses was 'rife' among South Lanarkshire councillors - according to the leader of the council’s SNP group.
Apparently, South Lanarkshire councillors claimed the cost of first class rail tickets - but then routinely travelled by car - sometime's even in the cars of council officials - and just quietly pocketed the difference.
A similar scam operated on accomodation at conferences and other events.
Councillors were paid a standard allowance - but were then free to do whatever they wanted with the money - including staying with friends at nil cost - and spend the windfall on themselves.
No receipts were ever required - or proof of actual costs incurred.
The system has now changed - but it just goes to show what can happen to public money - when the public interest and effective, independent scrutiny get pushed aside.
South Lanarkshire Council has now called in external and independent auditors to examine councillors’ expenses - and not before time it would seem.
Fiddling expenses was 'rife' among South Lanarkshire councillors - according to the leader of the council’s SNP group.
Apparently, South Lanarkshire councillors claimed the cost of first class rail tickets - but then routinely travelled by car - sometime's even in the cars of council officials - and just quietly pocketed the difference.
A similar scam operated on accomodation at conferences and other events.
Councillors were paid a standard allowance - but were then free to do whatever they wanted with the money - including staying with friends at nil cost - and spend the windfall on themselves.
No receipts were ever required - or proof of actual costs incurred.
The system has now changed - but it just goes to show what can happen to public money - when the public interest and effective, independent scrutiny get pushed aside.
South Lanarkshire Council has now called in external and independent auditors to examine councillors’ expenses - and not before time it would seem.
