Have the STAR board been claiming for duck ponds, second homes, horse manure, electricians to change lightbulbs, adult movies or moat repairs?
In all seriousness though, Perhaps copying local MP Rob Wilson and publicising expenses claimed online would be something to consider so that STAR can not only continue to be open and honest but to be seen to be open and honest.
STAR board expenses
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Forbury Lion
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STAR Voice
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It's a lovely idea, but sadly there's nothing like that available - reasonable travel expenses are always reimbursed, but this doesn't include trips to and from the MadStad, and some weeks there can be 3 or 4 of these so that all adds up.
But as far as I know all that has ever been claimed for are petrol/mileage, overnight accommodation (Travelodge advance booking is standard!) and items purchased or paid for on behalf of STAR, and such expenses are only ever paid on production of receipts. Larger purchases also have to be agreed by the STAR Board in advance, too - we're legally an Industrial & Provident Society, regulated by the FSA, so there are strict rules on our financial conduct.
No-one on the STAR Board does it for financial gain, that's for sure, because the time that everyone puts in would far outweigh any income that could be taken out - the majority of the Board spend at least 8 hours a week (unpaid) on STAR stuff, and sometimes more (for instance, virtually a whole week of evenings spent at the MadStad booking travel to Burnley).
To answer the second point, our accounts are available for inspection by any member (that's in the constitution!) and a summary is circulated at our AGM, with the opportunity for members to ask questions of these. Can't see any point in publishing them on the open web - they are available to all members (i.e. those we represent) at any time. Rob Wilson represents a much wider group of people, so public-domain publication of his expenses is appropriate for him, whereas there's no justification for anyone outside our membership to see our expenses.
But as far as I know all that has ever been claimed for are petrol/mileage, overnight accommodation (Travelodge advance booking is standard!) and items purchased or paid for on behalf of STAR, and such expenses are only ever paid on production of receipts. Larger purchases also have to be agreed by the STAR Board in advance, too - we're legally an Industrial & Provident Society, regulated by the FSA, so there are strict rules on our financial conduct.
No-one on the STAR Board does it for financial gain, that's for sure, because the time that everyone puts in would far outweigh any income that could be taken out - the majority of the Board spend at least 8 hours a week (unpaid) on STAR stuff, and sometimes more (for instance, virtually a whole week of evenings spent at the MadStad booking travel to Burnley).
To answer the second point, our accounts are available for inspection by any member (that's in the constitution!) and a summary is circulated at our AGM, with the opportunity for members to ask questions of these. Can't see any point in publishing them on the open web - they are available to all members (i.e. those we represent) at any time. Rob Wilson represents a much wider group of people, so public-domain publication of his expenses is appropriate for him, whereas there's no justification for anyone outside our membership to see our expenses.
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Forbury Lion
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Good response.
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