Lancashire County Councillor defends expenses (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lancashire County Councillor defends expenses

9:00am Sunday 15th January 2012 in Pendle

A COUNTY councillor has been urged to consider his position amid concerns over his expenses claims.

Mike Calvert, cabinet member for adult and community services, has continued to claim travel expenses to-and-from a house in Trawden, near Colne, even though he left the property around six months ago, following the breakdown of his marriage.

Since leaving his marital home, the Conservative, who is also a Pendle borough councillor, has also chosen to keep his current address private.

Labour County Coun Mohammed Iqbal said that according to the rules, County Coun Calvert’s travel expenses should reflect his journeys.

And he believes his address should be made public on the councils’ websites, so that constituents are able to contact him.

But County Coun Calvert said that he was actually claiming less than his is entitled to because he covers more miles travelling to-and-from his temporary lodgings.

He added that he has opted to keep his current address private because the house is also home to members of his family whom he does not want involved in political issues.

County Coun Iqbal said: “I think he should consider his position. Whilst I understand his personal life is his business, he needs to be more transparent with his expenses.

“What has he got to hide? He doesn’t have to give his address, but he should be able to tell us which town he is living in?“ For the last six months, County Coun Calvert said his time had been split between his relatives’ home, elsewhere in East Lancashire, and a holiday home in Silverdale, Cumbria.

He said: “I have had to sell my property in Trawden and until I find permanent accommodation in Pendle I am living with family.

“I do not want my family’s address to be revealed because I do not want them to be involved in any political matters. This is just mischief making.

“With regards to travel expenses I am not claiming anything inappropriately. The mileage is actually more than what I am claiming.

“The county council officers are happy with what I am doing, and they are the ones who police expenses claims.

“I am not doing anything illegal and I can prove that unequivocally.”

A County Hall spokesman said officers were aware of Coun Calvert’s situation and that his expenses claims were above board.