No meetings attended - but £1,800 in expenses
FORMER Neath Port Talbot Council leader Derek Vaughan pocketed more than £1,800 in allowances and expenses for three months work with the South Wales Police Authority — but failed to attend any meetings.
The ex-council boss — who is now a Euro MP — served three months on the authority before quitting to head to Brussels.
During that time, he was scheduled to attend three full authority meetings as a representative for Neath Port Talbot — but did not attend them.
He also did not go to any "additional events" such as public consultations or meetings with senior officers.
In total, he claimed £1,840.23.
The figures for all authority members are contained in its annual report for 2009/10, and they show a wide variation in the number of meetings members attend.
Mr Vaughan said: "The basic allowance covers not just attendance at formal meetings, but also a wider range of responsibilities and activities that come with being a member of the police authority.
"Although I was unable to attend the three meetings that took place during that brief period in April to June 2009, I remained a fully engaged and committed member of the authority working hard on behalf of the local people."
Neath Port Talbot Plaid councillor Alun Llewelyn said he was surprised at Mr Vaughan's non-attendance.
"Being a member of the police authority is a responsible position," he said.
"It is surprising and disappointing that Mr Vaughan did not attend his meetings.
"I'd like to know how he was rep- resenting the rate payers of Neath Port Talbot during this period."
The annual report shows the man who succeeded Mr Vaughan as leader of Neath Port Talbot Council and police authority member, Ali Thomas, did not claim a penny for the nine months he spent on the authority last year. He attended five of the 13 meetings he was scheduled for and three additional events.
Fellow Neath Port Talbot representative Eddie Jones, an independent member, was the only person to attend every meeting — 24 out of 24 — and he also attended 24 extra events, pocketing a total of £8,198.97 for his work.
Of the Swansea independent members, Arjan Ali attended 13 of 23 meetings, and two additional events, claiming £8,718.05, Graham Bingham attended 14 of 16 meetings and 24 extra events, claiming £8,029.26, and Mike Lewis attended 29 of 31, as well as 19 extra events, claiming £15,168.20.
Claimed
Meanwhile, Swansea councillor Bob Lloyd claimed £15,152.21 and went to 26 out of 32 meetings, plus 57 extra events, while Sue WallerThomas claimed £6,494.10 and went to 13 of 21 meetings, plus eight extra, despite taking a sabbatical during 2009 for personal reasons.
The biggest claimer was authority chairman and leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Russell Roberts, who attended 31 of 34 meetings, and 42 additional events, and took home £22,630.74.
The chief executive of the authority, Alan Fry, said members hold a position of "significant responsibility" in South Wales, and were expected to give a minimum commitment of seven to ten hours a week for authority duties.
"Although we are the eighth largest force, the allowances we pay are less than most other police authorities in the UK," he added.
jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk
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by jeffery, still dirtytown
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:52PM
“Did you see the joke in the paper where Vaughn is trying to defend the numbers and claiming things about democratic process, it is a pity he did not concern himself with democratic process when he was bending the rules to allow unelected members for Baglan. He is there without the backing of Trade unionists and I feel he should be removed”
by jeffery, still dirtytown
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:16PM
“Lynda look at the records,Vaughn said what the people wanted to hear, he promised to fight TAN8 wind power even though it was govenment policy . He would say anything to stay in office, now he is getting lessons from the master on getting the most out of the system, has he got his own wood shed that needs a new roof.”
by Linda, Neath
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:42AM
“jeffery - you have seen the films - now watch the real life production - The Godfather in Wales - Kinnock, Hain, Vaughan - and we get the energy production :)”
by jeffery, still dirtytown
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 6:04PM
“Is it true that Hain now has a new apprentice and is now passing on the tricks of the trade?
One good thing about them sharing one office is that they are not making a mess of two offices. Will the cost be shared for the office or will they both claim for the office. Linda you missed out the ratepayers councilors who defected under his tregime to end up with prime jobe. laqbour party says you have to be a member of the labour party for 12 months before seeking election. This gets round the rule by not being an election. Live in baglan and am annoyed”
by Orecarrier., Port Talbot.
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 12:23AM
“No white wash please. This man HAS to be prosecuted.”
by Matthew, Swansea
Monday, August 30 2010, 7:33PM
“It's fraud, plain and simple.”
by Linda, Neath
Monday, August 30 2010, 9:02AM
“It was when Derek Vaughan became leader of NPT CBC that democracy was finally shot to smithereens. Anyone not a member of the labour party was frozen out of any positions. Scrutiny Chairs and Chairs all labour people. This is not democracy.
Remember the posters Vaughan paid for while in office. the best authority in Wales, the best refuse collection, the best everything plastered over papers and bill boards. Vaughan used NPT as a stepping stone to get into the EU, an even more corrupt body; should suit him well.
Yet the people of Neath put him there, they are responsible for allowing this man, who milks the system constantly to be able to do this.
There are many who laugh at the people of Neath for allowing these gravy train passengers to carry on filling their pockets with fools gold. None laugh at them less than the likes of Derek Vaughan and Peter Hain.
Wake up people of Neath, throw them out, see them without a job as our children have to suffer. Make him pay back the money. Who gets paid for not turning up for work? Only the gravy train passengers.”
by Bingo Bill "full house", Morriston
Saturday, August 28 2010, 9:10PM
“Talk about fiddler on the roof this lot including councillors from Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot councils are fiddlers on the taxpayer.
Is it not about time Bob Lloyds position after all the yaers he as been on this Authority was given to some one else instaed of being kept in the labour party and other political groups this is not democratic and it should investigated it is corrupt how councils work on these authorities but once again we see the old pals act.”
by Peter Thomas, Neath
Saturday, August 28 2010, 4:48PM
“It's obvious why Vaughan didn't attend any NPT meetings - he was too busy learning how to fleece the european taxpayer - all those lovely Euro MP expenses. I bet he's like a kid in a sweetshop!”
by Dr RonJohn, putting my cat in a bin
Saturday, August 28 2010, 1:47PM
“Derek Vaughan shares an office with Peter Hain in Neath I believe and so I rest my case.
People moan and yet they voted Derek into office.”