WYNDHAM councillors have claimed more than $27,000 in expenses since June.
Figures tabled at Monday night’s council meeting revealed that councillors spent $27,601 between June 1 and October 15.
The amount included $5735 for attendances at seminars and conferences and $3365 to cover costs incurred by councillors attending functions and events.
As reported by the Weekly, councillors spent $1782 on functions and events between last December and May, with a further $2000 spent on seminars and conferences. The council spent $7024 on training and development for five councillors in this period.
Truganina ward’s Cr Glenn Goodfellow had the most expenses between June and October, claiming $7447.
More than $6000 of Cr Goodfellow’s expenses was for elective training and development, which included attendance at a Australian Institute of Company Directors course. While the full cost of the course was $6396, the actual cost to the council was about $5800.
Cr Goodfellow said the course had taught him more about governance and the questions he should be asking of council staff.
“I think it should be compulsory for all new councillors to undertake the course. You have got to do training to make sure you are on top of things all the time.”
Mayor Kim McAliney’s expenses totalled $4954 and Cr John Menegazzo claimed $4375.
They spent the most on conferences and seminars, at $2610 and $2740 respectively. Cr Menegazzo spent $729 on general travel.
Cr Cynthia Manson and Cr Marcel Mahfoud spent $2019 and $1851 on childcare in the four months.
