Reading Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat leader on Reading Borough Council, Cllr Gareth Epps, has slammed the Labour administration after forcing the Council leader to reveal that no records were kept of how much is spent on Council travel expenses by plane or taxi.

Cllr Epps tabled the question after seeking the information as part of preparations for what is recognised as a difficult budget situation, following the ‘irresponsible’ 2008 Labour/Conservative budget. All of Reading’s political groups have had to address a substantial budget deficit. Having been told that the information could not reasonably provided, Cllr Epps has tabled a further question to ask whether the Labour leader thinks financial controls are tight enough in Reading.

Commenting, Cllr Epps said:-

“It’s staggering that Labour cannot or will not provide figures on travel expenses in areas where robust controls are needed. In a Budget process where Council staff are understandably nervous, the arrogance and complacency of Labour council leaders beggars belief.

“I think councillors have a right to know how much is being spent on air and taxi travel. Nobody could possibly disagree that budgets need proper scrutiny when money is tight – except, it would appear, Labour in Reading.”

Editor’s Notes: The full text of the Q & A session follows -

On Travel Expenses Cllr Epps asked –

Will the Leader list the budget figures for the current and previous financial year for travel expenses by a) air, b) taxi, c) other non-car transport, and will she explain why it appears to be so difficult to bring such figures forward?

REPLY by Councillor Lovelock (Leader of the Council):

Travel expenses for 2007/8 totalled £166,000 and expenditure for the current year to date is £147,000. Expenses for travel by air, taxi etc. are not separately coded and hence it is not possible to provide this detailed information without significant manual effort and therefore staff time.