by Ruth Banks

rbanks@thekmgroup.co.uk

Kent County Council lavished £42,000 on taxis and chauffeured cars for senior officers and councillors last year.

But information provided to the KM through a Freedom of Information request reveals a sharp drop in these costs over the last three years.

From a peak of £59,019 in 2007/2008, there has been a 28 per cent fall to £42,222 in 2009/2010.

The most expensive single trip last year was taken by councillors Alex King and Alan Marsh.

At a cost of £390, they were driven to the Bleriot Press Conference in France, which honoured the aviator’s first cross-Channel flight, and back home to Hawkhurst and Whitstable.

A three-day trip by former Chief Executive Peter Gilroy came in second.

It was a whirlwind tour from County Hall to Manchester for a conference, on to Harrogate, and back to Goudhurst, costing £235.

A spokesman for Kent County Council said they were committed to providing the most cost effective means of transport:

"For many journeys, the car is often the most economical means of travel, compared to other forms of transport, including taxis and trains.

“We remain confident that our small fleet of cars, with drivers employed on a casual basis, represents good value for money and is appropriate given the demands placed on elected Members.”

“The journey to the joint Paris press conference with Pas de Calais is an example where we used the most cost effective way to travel to France on a Good Friday following a request from the president of Pas de Calais.”

“This event launched celebrations in Kent and Pas de Calais and the county gained directly through an increase in visitor numbers and thus helped our tourism industry."

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