‘Nonsensical spin’ on county councillors’ mileage rate increase

The county council’s explanation for using AA figures to calculate the mileage rate councillors receive was labelled ‘nonsensical spin’ by one resident.
AAAA
AA

Last Friday West Sussex county councillors voted to increase their allowances by one per cent, change their mileage rate from 53.8p per mile to 59.25p per mile, and raise subsistence costs by 2.7 per cent.

When mileage rates were last calculated, the RAC calculator was used, but since the company no longer provides one AA was used.

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However AA’s website states: “AA running costs tables are intended only as a general guide to the costs associated with owning and running a car.

JPCT 12-05-12 S12200446a  Paul and Sue Kornycky , JUG,  Horsham,   -photo by Steve CobbJPCT 12-05-12 S12200446a  Paul and Sue Kornycky , JUG,  Horsham,   -photo by Steve Cobb
JPCT 12-05-12 S12200446a Paul and Sue Kornycky , JUG, Horsham, -photo by Steve Cobb

“AA running costs tables have no official status and are not intended to be used as the basis for setting mileage rates for business use of private cars.”

But a spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said the arrangement was temporary while its Independent Remuneration Panel looked at the matter later this year.

Rudgwick resident Paul Kornycky (pictured), who helped spearhead the campaign to stop Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre being closed down, branded the explanation ‘nonsensical spin’.

He added: “Why did none of our councillors not bother to google it and find that information out? It’s a shambles.”