If you want to know how much money our elected members cost us and how much their expenses add on to that figure, the information is here:

Click to access 150714correctone.pdf

Travel expenses vary wildly, some Independent and minority party councillors paying their own travel expenses out of their own pockets …. (and why is the filename listed as “150714correctone”)!

What is more interesting is the list of “co-optees appointed by the council” at the end of the list – 12 people given various quite small amounts of fees and expenses.

What on earth is the status of a “co-optee of the council” and how does it differ from the status of a consultant? Are they people expert in some particular discipline brought in for their expertise? Where is the paper trail that shows what their particular expertise was needed for? If there is not sufficient information surely this would be a device open to abuse in any council? Are they co-opted officers?

If so, why was”embedded officer and/or consultant” Steve Pratten, engaged at a cost of more than £10,000 per month not simply co-opted for his expertise as these 12 people seem to have been?