Claims change passed

THE mayor’s sole right to give authorisation to councillors’ claims has been ditched under a revised Yarra Ranges Council policy.
The policy for councillor expenditure and donations was amended at the council meeting on Tuesday 10 May.
It followed suggestions by internal auditors after their annual review of councillor expenses.
One such amendment gave authorisation rights to the council rather than the mayor when councillors submitted claims for reimbursement outside of the period stated in the policy.
The councillors, who said they were happy with the amendments, passed the motion unanimously.
Councillor Graham Warren said he felt “it was important an independent set of eyes looks over our expenditure policy so community can have confidence in the council”.