Tax payers can now see how Swale Borough Council spends their money and who its biggest earners are.

Items costing more than £500 can be viewed online

Figures for December already published show 125 transactions made to suppliers.

The information will be updated on a monthly basis.

Details of senior staff salaries have also been made open to “armchair auditors” via the council’s website – www.swale.gov.uk/transparency-on-spend

The highest earner is the council’s chief executive, Abdool Kara, who pockets between £135,000 and £139,999 followed by Pete Raine, director of regeneration, who earns between £90,000 and £94,999.

The council has teamed up with transparency specialists Spikes Cavell to get the information online.

The move comes after local government secretary Eric Pickles urged all local authorities to increase openness and accountability.

Grove ward councillor Gareth Randall (Con) has welcomed the move.

He said: “This is a real achievement for openness. The public can now see individual items of expenditure.

“People can now find out more about where the money really goes. Councillors and council officers will now be under more pressure to be careful with spending. This is the sort of thing we need to help drive a culture of saving money and spending wisely wherever tax payers’ money is involved.

“I hope this information will also help local businesses to spot products and services that they can offer at better rates.”

Cabinet member for regeneration Cllr John Wright (Con) said: “It will actually give me and other council members a direct handle on making sure we are getting value for money for the council and the rate payer.”