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I have had a quick look at this massive spreadsheet and some of the expenses on their seem incredible. Like you Graham I wonder why so many utility bills are being paid on credit cards (not a normal method of paying them).

However, one or two things caught my eye and I wonder if I may have a possible explanation for them. I saw an entry for Youth Hostels and presume that this was some sort of educational field trip for young people in the county whereby I think it may be normal practice for the school/orchestra/sports team etc to book in advance for these trips and then obviously the pupils and their parents contribute to go on the trip, but these reimbursements are obviously not shown on this spreadsheet. I wonder how many of the items have actually been reimbursed in this way meaning that the total expenditure on the credit cards is an incorrect figure. It is only what they paid out at the time but does not show any income that came back from people.

I also see an entry for a flute - it is standard practice for the music service/school to purchase these for a pupil enabling them to have a vat-free purchase (this is reclaimed by the Council) and the pupil/parents then pay the council/school. Of course, this may not actually be for this purpose in this instance - it could be for the Music Service to loan out to pupils during the course of their studies.

Of course, I may be barking up completely the wrong tree here, but I suppose time will tell what really has been going on. Very interesting to see on the Telegraph list that a council in London where my son is an employee appears to have no credit card expeniditure at all. Perhaps they have just as many expenses but just don't issue credit cards to their departments/staff etc - but I do know that money is still wasted all the same.

"Meanwhile I'm wearing myself out thinking up new questions:" - I shouldn't bother unless you have a genuine reason - this isn't a game - have you thought how much it costs them (US) answering your darn-fool questions?

Meanwhile I'm wearing myself out thinking up new questions:" - I shouldn't bother unless you have a genuine reason - this isn't a game - have you thought how much it costs them (US) answering your darn-fool questions?

So you would rather they just got on with it then would you ? keep the taxpayer in the dark AND no it is not a game it's peoples lives You on double time a county hall today ?

The finance department is either covering up ineptitude or dishonesty both should see heads roles, but of course it’s a job for life @ Cornwall council, at worst they will be sent on an expanses paid training course and cost us yet more money

How anyone can justify saying -

While we are committed to being open and transparent, this incident shows the importance of analysing raw data carefully and responsibly.

And that’s what the finance department are paid to do Alec!

I am puzzled as to why the council appears to be paying university fees (for staff?). Is this common practice for our council tax to be paying for professional development for individuals in this way? Who decides how relevant it is to their job. Surely there are many unemployed graduates who would love to do a job in the council but it appears that once in, it is a job for life and they use our council tax to improve their existing employees cvs. The entries for hotels, flights etc defies belief. Is credit card spending not scrutinised as toughly as purchase orders? This is one reason I believe they are used so widely. Managers just sign off the payment without scrutiny.

Some things did stand out to me, the Millenium Mayfair hotel bill, £1,453 date 31 March, a sobering though that my council tax bill last year barely covered that jaunt. There's some other odd things, £578 spent on vet bills apparently the Baker Case whatever that means (3/2/11). Three payments to an interestingly named company A LOCKSMITH CORNWALL for shoe repair/ shine/ hat clean, dated the 20th September and amounting to £2,241 (£962/ 770/509), quite what you get for this sort of money I can't even begin to imagine.

Why is Cornwall council spending thousands of £ on restaurant meals, when County Hall has a fully functional & very well equipped commercial kitchen & well appointed restaurant. i know this because i have worked as a chef at County Hall Truro.

£3000 taxi fare to/from Bolton!