Councillors’ expenses and allowances bill slashed

For the year 2010/1, Lancashire County Council paid out £88,000 less in expenses than it did in 2009/10. This follows a reduction of £104,000 in 2009/10, meaning that the cost of the county councillors’ allowance scheme has fallen by £192,000 in the past two years.

The allowance scheme covers payment for special duties as well as mileage and subsistence claims in respect of other approved duties.

Savings have been made by restructuring the county council’s committees system, meaning there are now fewer positions attracting special responsibility allowances. A more stringent claims procedure and monitoring system has also been introduced.

Council leader County Coun. Geoff Driver said: “With the current economic climate as it is, it’s essential that we save money wherever we can to protect frontline services.

“Reducing county councillors’ expenditure is a key part of this and I’m pleased that we’ve once again been able to make significant savings on county councillors’ allowances through the revised structure and the expenses claims procedure we have put in place.”