·
The New Transparency Policy of Deal Town Council
has lead to the publishing of an admission that of Mayors £3,000 allowance for expenses, £650 of tax payers money was spent on gifts,
£737 on wine & other drinks, £250 on gambling, £140 on 'tips' and £65 to
have his shenanigans captured on camera for posterity. On top of that £392 was
not accounted for. There was some repentance as we also put £60 in a church
collection plate for him.
1) The mayor's allowance is £3,000, his
accounts show he spent £2,658 yet he was paid £3,050 leaving £392 unaccounted
for.
2) Of the £2,658
he says he spent, how much can he not prove and is it justifiable paying tax
payers money for these things?
i) The
twinning trip to St. Omer is not an overnight trip. The mayor chose to stay the
night He also says he bought gifts to take and bring back??? £280 expenses. Is this justified? B & B
would be no more than £80 regardless, so £200 on gifts. FOR WHO AND WHY? Should we pay?
3) Charter Day
wine. £120. In his notes, this mayor says he went to the supermarket
and spent £120 on booze and the council refused to pay for it. Why would they refuse? What is Charter Day and does it
require £120 worth of wine? We can see from this
2011 link that it involves a religious festival and prayers. Is the wine
therefore 'Communion Wine' ?
4) £250 in raffle tickets at events
he attends. Are prizes owned by the tax payer?
5) £617 on
drinks.
6) £65 on disposable camera's and development fees so he
could have a momento of his year.
7) £165 on care
for his elderly parent
who he receives a carers allowance for from the government. He had already been
paid to provide this care himself and should have given that over as he did not
earn it.
8) Mayors
tips in restaurants £140. He is so flash with our money!
9) £435 in Christmas presents,
cards & stamps. WHO FOR?
10) Lunch £56 that DTC refused to pay so he took from expenses.
10) Church collection
plate £60 Can he show a receipt? NO. Should Atheists
have to contribute to the church?
11) £25 for a regatta cup.
12) £40 for attending 4
charity events. His transport etc is separately arrange. Why is he asking a fee
for supporting help the Heroes.
Source - Deal Town Council Records - Bill Gardener - Mayor of Deal May 2009 - April 2010
