£33,832.01 has been paid in additional expenses to current and former councillors of Westmorland and Furness Council during the 2024/25 financial year, according to figures obtained this week by Penrith.Town.
Westmorland and Furness council has 65 elected members, and while all are entitled to claim expenses for approved duties, scrutiny over how public funds are used continues to grow—especially with some councillors claiming substantial amounts beyond their standard allowances.
Westmorland and Furness Council guidelines state that councillors should travel by public transport “where reasonably possible.” However, councillors are still permitted to claim mileage for car, van, motorcycle or bicycle journeys, as well as public transport fares, meal costs, and in some cases, accommodation.
Councillors may claim:
45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles travelled by car or van, and 25p per mile thereafter.
24p per mile for motorcycle travel.
20p per mile when travelling by bicycle.
Standard class train fares and reasonable taxi costs where public transport is not available.
Meal allowances for approved duties outside the council area:
£7.00 for breakfast (if away more than 4 hours before 11am)
£9.00 for lunch (if away more than 4 hours including 12pm–2pm)
£15.00 for dinner (if away more than 4 hours ending after 6pm)
Accommodation costs are usually arranged and paid for directly by the council, but where booked independently, councillors can be reimbursed up to £130 plus VAT per night outside London, and £150 plus VAT in London.
The council’s highest expenses claimant was Liberal Democrat Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of the Council and councillor for Kendal South ward.
In 2024/25, Cllr Brook claimed £5,043.24 in expenses, broken down as follows:
£195.26 for meals and drinks
£1,162.73 for bus and train fares
£2,015.89 in mileage allowance, plus £119.20 in mileage not reclaimable for VAT
£1,546.99 for accommodation
£3.18 in non-taxable expenses
This came in addition to his annual remuneration of £41,512.50, comprised of a £13,837.50 standard members’ allowance and £27,675.00 for his role as Leader.
One of the more controversial claims came from Cllr Bloomer, elected in a by-election in September 2024 to represent the Grange and Cartmel ward.
Cllr Bloomer was expected to attend four meetings during the financial year—one full council meeting and three South Lakeland Locality Board meetings. However, official records show he only attended one meeting, held at Kendal Town Hall on 29 January 2025.
Despite this low attendance, Cllr Bloomer claimed £155.63 in mileage expenses—a round trip of roughly 28 miles from Grange to Kendal. He also received the standard £13,837.50 members' allowance.
Earlier this year, the council confirmed that Cllr Bloomer had failed to pay his council tax, raising further concerns over accountability and public trust.
As local authorities continue to face budget constraints, the level of expenses claimed by some councillors is likely to attract further public scrutiny—especially in cases of low attendance or additional personal conduct issues.
Westmorland and Furness Council said that “reasonable expenses” are reimbursed to enable councillors to fulfil their duties, and that all claims are made in accordance with the council’s members’ allowance scheme.