Globe-trotting Aberdeen council bosses are not achieving the best value for money on their trips abroad – and are taking some without approval of committees, a new report has revealed.
Papers to be presented to the local authority’s audit committee next week show the findings of an internal audit carried out on the travel costs.
Auditors have found that there had not been committee approval for some of the trips, accommodation was being booked ahead of the HMRC rates and without approval of the chief finance officer and applications were not submitted far enough ahead to get cheaper flights and bookings.
Concerns were also raised over car hire.
Last night the revelations were described as “concerning” by committee members as the council faces down a multi-million-pound black hole in upcoming budget talks.
The report has recommended that various policies are changed to ensure the local authority is getting the best value for money.
It reads: “Between implementation of the new travel policies on April 1 2019, and commencement of this audit, 14 applications relating to foreign travel had been processed.
“Nine of the 14 bookings had been approved in advance by the relevant service committee as required, although one travel application referred to the incorrect
committee report reference.
“Two further applications referred to committee reports that did not give appropriate
approval.
“Three were not approved by committee. One related to a study visit where the travel
costs were part funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, another related to taking a young
person on holiday, and the third related to travel to a European project AGM where
committee approval had been obtained in relation to the project, but not the related travel.”
Council bosses have previously been criticised for sending officials and politicians across the globe
Last April, new trade missions were identified in Brazil, Vietnam, South Korea and Uganda among others while there were also trips to to Houston, US, Doha, Qatar, Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, Halifax, Canada, Karamay, China and Pemba, Mozambique.
Local authority leaders have emphasised the need to build relationships with countries outside Europe as uncertainty over the future relationship with the EU continues.
Committee vice-convener Ian Yuill, who is also the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, said: “This internal audit took place because the committee expressed concerns about the travel arrangements and organisation so I thank them for this report.
“We have now seen this internal audit and it has raised some serious issues and concerns.
“Clearly what has been presented to us shows that the council is not receiving the best value for Aberdeen or its citizens.”
