Shropshire Council reveals its credit card bill

Shropshire Council today revealed it has spent £35,000 on credit cards in 12 months – just two weeks after saying it would not release the information unless a Freedom of Information Act request was made.

A report to the council's audit committee shows the money was put on six credit cards in 2010/11. The issue of cards caused a storm of controversy nationally recently when it was revealed some authorities used them to pay for items.

These included top hotel rooms, first class flights and Gucci handbags.

But Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow said he believed the cards had not been misused. An internal audit had been requested in the annual plan to ensure they were used correctly.

He said: "The chief executive doesn't have a credit card and neither do I. The only ones we would use would be for booking trains or hotel rooms.

"We have an open and transparent policy and I am confident that it's all done 100 per cent by the book but it never hurts to check these things out.

"Everything we spend over £500 is published on the website anyway."

The report to Thursday's meeting says good management of credit cards can prevent the "risks of reputati- onal damage and financial loss".

It says: "Members have asked for an update to Audit Committee on the processes in place behind Shropshire Council's credit card usage.

"This follows a number of enquiries received from the public following articles in the Daily Telegraph, which raised the issue of potential credit card scandals at councils by staff and councillors where excessive spending was made on items such as hospitality, travel and gifts."

Council audit manager Ceri Pilawski said: "We have strict guidelines on how credit cards are used, which are outlined in the report."

This month Telford & Wrekin Council revealed alm- ost £8,000 was spent using credit cards in 12 months.

Ex-leader of the council Andrew Eade spent £226.10 on council duties while chief executive Victor Brownlees spent £1,322.94.

An unnamed director spent £6,421.34, which included £5,578 on equipment for Telford ice-rink.

By Russell Roberts