LIBERAL Democrats have slammed Winchester’s Conservative administration’s transport costs.

The city council spent £143,181 on internal business travel last year, including nearly £105,000 on staff mileage, £25,414 on public transport, £12,932 on councillors’ mileage and £46 on taxis for councillors.

The details were revealed at a full council meeting last Wednesday (July 17) after a question from Cllr Robert Hutchison to finance portfolio holder Stephen Godfrey.

But Cllr Hutchison said: “The portfolio holder’s answer is economic with the actuality. There is no mention of the cost of leased cars which, I believe, is over £500,000. Transport costs are a very important part of our budget and need rather more scrutiny and attention.”

Cllr Martin Tod added the city council compared unfavourably to other Hampshire councils.

He said: “There are 228 essential car users in Winchester while Eastleigh Borough Council seems to manage with about 40.”

But Cllr Godfrey defended the costs and said it was vital for officers to travel across the district.

He said: “Officers need sensible arrangements to deliver services properly over a very large geographical area. We have seen a marked reduction in the cost of lease cars and the cost of mileage is coming down significantly year on year.

“Eastleigh is a much more compact area which does not require as many housing officers so they have significantly lower numbers. However, it’s always well and good to compare with similar authorities and I’m sure in due course we will find time to revisit the question of lease cars and the cost of business travel.”