Spending watch

Spending watch: December 2010

Cash-stricken Sefton Council spent nearly £30million in December including £280,000 for private healthcare and £53,336 for golf course maintenance.

The council's monthly expenditures of over £500 are being published as part of a Government drive to promote transparency and ensure value for taxpayers' money.

The Champion can reveal that the authority, which is expected to cut £44million from its annual budget, made 3,376 outgoing transactions of over £500 in one month.

The reports show the council shelled out over £170,000 on gas and electricity and £38,000 on phone bills.

Struggling Sefton Council expect to lay off a quarter of senior management along with youth clubs and Sure Start centres in order to meet savings targets.

During December, Sefton Council paid out £38,494 to British Telecom, £281,450 was given to BUPA and a bill for Scottish Power cost £171,861.66.

Also revealed for the first time was the council's Merseyside police contribution for December (£1,360,674), their Merseyside fire contribution (£602,703) and transport (£2,430,400).

The new costs show the council gave £26,376 to Cumbria County Council and £98,242 to Wirral Borough Council.

Emma Boon, campaign director for the Taxpayers' Alliance, claims the report demonstrates how savings can be made without front line services being affected.

She said: “It’s great that Sefton Council is now publishing spending online but they must be truly open and tell us what the payments to Cumbria and Wirral councils was for.

”It is unacceptable to give no explanation for spending taxpayers’ money.

”The council has to make significant and necessary spending cuts in the coming years, and it is clear from looking through their spending that there are savings that can be made without front line services being affected.“

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has called for every council to become more open and accountable about every aspect of their work.

He said: ”The public have a right to know how their tax pounds are spent, and those yet to deliver are running out of excuses and time before they have to face their electorate.“