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