Living on the breadline
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 2:52 pm
The Gazette described yesterday how former authority chairman Councillor Dave McLuckie chalked up about £4,000 of spending on restaurant and hotel bills over four years - including one meal for £767.
Independent review into usage of Cleveland Police Authority credit cards
by Sandy McKenzie, Evening Gazette
Feb 22 2012
CLEVELAND Police Authority is conducting a review of the use of taxpayer-funded corporate credit cards.
Bosses have also pledged to make the findings of an independent review public within weeks.
The promise comes after it was revealed top officials spent thousands of pounds on trips and meals.
The Gazette described yesterday how former authority chairman Councillor Dave McLuckie chalked up about £4,000 of spending on restaurant and hotel bills over four years - including one meal for £767.
“We cannot comment on specific issues at this stage,” a spokeswoman said.
“The authority has already publicly accepted that there were failures within the authority and force. The new chairman, chief executive and temporary chief constable are undertaking a comprehensive review of all governance processes and many changes have already been made to ensure that such issues do not and cannot happen again.
“In respect of corporate credit cards, the authority has already tasked its auditors to carry out an independent and urgent review of the use of credit cards.
“We will make their report public and implement any recommendations that the auditors put forward.”
The report is expected to be published by the end of the month.
The force has also set up an “Integrity Board” in the wake of a national policing report which will look at the use of cards, as well as wider issues
Authority chairman Stuart Drummond made clear that any allegations relating to the misuse of public money would be fully investigated - without exception - with findings made public as soon as legally possible.
The revelations come at a time when CPA is being probed by police as part of criminal and misconduct investigation Operation Sacristy.
There has been no suggestion made that cards form part of the inquiry.
A Sacristy spokesman said: “We are aware that CPA has provided some information. The decision to do so is a matter for them alone.”
Five people have been arrested as part of Sacristy. Among them are Cllr McLuckie, Chief Constable Sean Price and Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard. All three have denied any wrongdoing and remain on bail.
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