A LEADING Thurrock councillor has warned expenses will not be paid to council staff without proper evidence.

Valerie-Morris-Cook, councillor responsible finances and resources, spoke out after an audit report into council staff expenses revealed 40 per cent of 130 claims reviewed did not have valid VAT receipts as required and one expense claimant approved their own claim request.

A report to the audit committee on Tuesday (24 June) also revealed some staff have been waiting for more than a year to be reimbursed due to "delayed managerial approval".

Announcing a clamp down over her "deep concerns", Ms Morris-Cook said: "Let me be absolutely clear. The council reimburses staff only for legitimate, out-of-pocket expenses directly related to their official duties. We are dealing with public money—and that demands the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

"Transparency is not optional, it is a non-negotiable expectation. I am deeply concerned by the findings in this report, and we are taking decisive action. From now on, if claims do not meet the council's strict requirements they will not be paid. No proper evidence? No payment."

The council handled 3,268 expenses claims in 2024/25 for 701 employees with a bill of £250,240.

Audit officers also found expense claims were being approved by officers who "do not have delegated authority to certify them". In addition the assistant director's approval was not being obtained as required where subsistence payment rates were exceeded.

The council reimburses staff for out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, accommodation and subsistence costs incurred whilst on council business.

The council currently has payment rates of £6.25, £9.25 and £12 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner expenses, respectively.