Leader makes a meal of claiming
Reporter GATESHEAD Council leader Martin Gannon has come under fire for his £5,000 taxpayer-funded food bill – almost double the six other North East council leaders combined.
Most councillors choose not to claim the subsistence expenses they are entitled to when on council business.
Yet between 2014 and 2017, Coun Gannon claimed £5,003.64, more than half of the £9,623.06 total racked up by the authority’s 65 councillors.
Over the three years, he claimed close to double the £2,702.73 the region’s six other council leaders did put together.
The period covers some of Mr Gannon’s tenure as deputy leader before he took over the top job in May 2016.
Jonathan Wallace, Liberal Democrat opposition leader, said: “We are very surprised this much of the budget was spent on just one councillor.
“He is perfectly entitled to make these claims but, given most do not, I am shocked he has turned Gateshead Council into his own food bank.
“This money can only be used to cover your own costs, so it is not the case he is using it to take investors or clients out for lunch – he just cannot put up his own sandwiches. While the people of Gateshead are making sacrifices, councillors need to take the lead and by not claiming this money the majority of councillors have contributed to a significant saving.
“Martin is normally quite a reasonable person but his judgment here is questionable.”
Gateshead councillors are allowed to claim for meals when working on official business in accordance with set limits, which go up to £11.02 for dinner.
A Gateshead Council spokesman said: “These figures reflect the busy schedule of a council leader whose duties, as well as regularly attending meetings and events both across the region and nationally, are to actively promote Gateshead to support the creation of new jobs and secure further investment in Gateshead’s economy.”
During the same three-year period, the late Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson claimed £1,165.50, while South Tyneside’s Iain Malcolm claimed £1,056.81.
Newcastle leader Nick Forbes claimed £364.75 and North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn claimed £80.67.
Grant Davey, who was leader of Northumberland County Council during this period, claimed £35.
Durham County Council leader Simon Henig did not make a claim.