Council credit card payment records investigated

Descriptions were missing from some credit card payments

A council is investigating payments made by staff after questions were raised over the use of credit cards.

Cumberland Council's audit committee raised "significant concerns" around record keeping relating to purchases.

A report shows that between April and September there were about 1,200 PayPal payments totalling £107,200 - 790 of which were to 199 non-verified individuals.

While the legitimacy of the payments is not in question, the council confirmed an investigation was ongoing into a "much smaller" proportion of the figure mentioned.

There is a legal requirement for councils to provide details of their spend under the local government transparency code, however descriptions for some purchases were missing.

A Cumberland Council spokesman said: "Once the investigation is complete the council may then be in a position to disclose further information.

"In the meantime the audit report addresses how the council is responding to the concerns and the processes it will adopt to address those concerns."

'Tighten' processes

The authority said cards provided to staff were used for things such as supermarket, online and emergency payments.

The spokesman added: “The audit report makes it clear that payments reviewed relate to legitimate spend within a small number of council areas, providing support to people within the council’s care.”

While some work was already under way to "tighten" processes, further recommendations were made by the audit committee last week, including providing more training to staff around complying with guidelines.

The council spokesman said: "We have been quick to carry out this review and implement the recommended improvements.

"These procedures will remain under regular review."