By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
COUNCILLORS have voted to have their own expenses claims recorded in more detail.
On Monday 15 February, councillor Leticia Wilmot introduced a notice of motion proposing changes to the process of claiming councillor travel and general expenses.
The Councillor Expenses and Entitlements Policy will now state that when a claim is made for attending a resident’s home or a specific location that an address or photo is included as well as what actions resulted from the visit.
Travel claims must also be lodged at a maximum of quarterly, and parking claims must include details of what function and how long the parking was for.
Councillors will only be reimbursed for stationary if details of what the induvial items were and why they were necessary, and a quarterly report will be provided to each councillor outlining claims from the previous period.
Speaking to the motion, Cr George Blenkhorn said added transparency will work in the councillors’ favour.
“I think this is a very good protection for us as councillors, for any accusations that we are doing anything wrong,” he said.
“We have to be seen to be squeaky clean. That’s probably the best term I can use.”
A 2015 Pakenham Gazette investigation found a vast difference between the amounts various councillors had claimed between January and October, with $14,850 separating the highest and lowest.
Out of the nine councillors, only Collin Ross and Tania Baxter claimed ‘general expenses’ and gave the justification of tolls, car parking expenses and stationary costs.
All councillors voted in favour of the motion, which will come into effect on 1 March.
