Teapots, tablecloths and eggs among council 'gifts'
A LIST including fruit and vegetables, flowers, cheap watches, a Danish teapot and a Romanian tablecloth sounds similar to what summer fête stalls might offer.
But for councillors at Lincolnshire's largest authority, these have been the gifts of appreciation they have been offered in the line of duty.
Stored within Lincolnshire County Council's headquarters in Newland, Lincoln, is a file containing gifts and hospitality offered to councillors from the past 25 years.
Members are advised to let officers know of any items worth £25 or more. But the list goes further.
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
If we cannot find you a tenant within one month, we will find you one for FREE, yes FREE, you will pay no fees
Contact 01472 355553
Terms: Terms and Conditions Aply
Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
Shamed former leader Jim Speechley, who was jailed for misconduct in public office, is noted in 1998 as receiving a paperknife following a speech in Spilsby.
A former tenant offered eight "fresh-range eggs" to councillor Philip Keddell in July 1999 and current Labour group leader Councillor Robert Parker indicated he received a "cheapish watch, value £5" in 1995.
The list contains a number of gems such as Lincoln City football tickets, wine from a German minister, 12 bottles of Batemans Beer, a wallet, a BBC Radio Lincolnshire tape and a video of how the Grimsby Evening Telegraph works.
Conservative council leader Martin Hill said: "When you go to these events, people very kindly give you small gifts and it's correct they are declared.
"The vast majority are little tokens of thanks. You don't want to cause offence by turning it down and I don't think anyone will think anything of accepting fresh-range eggs."
Other less glamorous declarations include a bathroom mat set, a large box of fresh vegetables, a York- shire Television 1997 diary, a paperweight from the governor of Morton Hall, and a Sure Start teddy bear.
Nigel West, county council democratic support manager, said: "Councillors and officers in local government are required to register any gifts or hospitality that they receive as a course of their council work."
Comments
by Janew1961
Saturday, June 04 2011, 1:21PM
“Oh, you're right! It is clickable. It's not obvious though, is it?
Thanks LincsBot.”
by LincsBot
Saturday, June 04 2011, 9:45AM
“The link isn't obviously clickable as it isn't underlined or a different colour but clicking on it does work. Text is all in one block but I read on the Scunthorpe site that this is going to be fixed.”
by Janew1961
Saturday, June 04 2011, 9:14AM
“LincsBot - "That link you put in there is clickable for me".
Curious.
I wonder why my screen doesn't show it as being clickable then?
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks
Just out of interest LincsBot, can you see paragraphs? Or is your text all in one block like mine”
by LincsBot
Saturday, June 04 2011, 8:53AM
“That link you put in there is clickable for me”
by Janew1961
Saturday, June 04 2011, 8:42AM
“Instead of running with pointless petty froth like this, you should be publishing the list of expenses incurred by some of our esteemed Council Executives using Government Procurement Cards (their free taxpayer-funded credit cards) ...
The link is here: But this fancy new website doesn't allow clickable links anymore .. readers will have to C&P it into their web bowser.
http://tinyurl.com/3f9hbda
It makes for eye-watering reading.
Over £1000 for accommodation to attend a conference?
Over £2200 for an 'award ceremony'?
Another £900 on an air ticket to one of our 'twinned' towns?
The list goes on and on.
Who do these people think they are? THATS OUR MONEY, they're lording it up on!!!”