Council Payments Now Online as Radical Initiative to Boost Transparency Gets Underway

As part of the Liberal Democrats' ongoing drive to open up the Council since the election of Mayor Dave Hodgson, Bedford Borough Council this week became one of the first local authorities in the country to publish individual payments online.

The pioneering move to publish Council payments over £1,000 for the 2010/11 financial year was announced in January by Liberal Democrat Finance Portfolio Holder Cllr Michael Headley, with the full list of payments to suppliers made in April now available on the Council's website.

Commenting, Cllr Headley said: "We are determined to open up the Council to residents in all areas, and that's why we've taken this step and become one of the first Councils in the country to publish Council payments online for residents to see. In these difficult economic times, we believe it is right that local taxpayers should be able to see how their money is being spent.'

"The Council must be accountable to local residents, and demonstrating to residents where their money goes is a key part of this. I hope people take the opportunity to look at the payments the Council makes, as we continue our efforts to maximise openness and transparency in the Council."

The list of supplier payments in April 2010 can be downloaded from the Council's website here: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_budgets_and_spending/supplier_payments.aspx

The lists of payments, which are grouped by Council Directorate, made in the preceding month will be available on the website on a monthly basis