An internal audit of Scarborough Town Council's accounts shows the Mayor claimed less than £40 of a £3,500 allowance that previously sparked a national debate.
Scarborough Town Council has published its first year-end internal audit report, revealing that the town's Mayor claimed just £39.90 of a controversial £3,500 allowance.
The allowance for the 2025-2026 financial year made national headlines when the newly formed council approved the budget.
Opponents had initially claimed the figure represented a 600 per cent increase compared to the £500 previously awarded to the town's Charter Mayor. However, later analysis showed the Charter Mayor's allowance had actually been increased to £1,000 prior to the town council's formation, meaning the real increase was 250 per cent.
Despite the initial £3,500 budget, the newly released internal audit report for the financial year ending the 31st of March 2026 shows actual expenditure for the Mayor's Allowance was just £39.90 net.
According to the audit, the Town Clerk explained that the low figure was due to the Mayor choosing not to reclaim eligible expenses that he was entitled to under the council's policy.
Following the low level of claims during the council's inaugural year, the budget for the Mayor's Allowance for the next financial year has been reduced to £1,000.
The audit report also highlighted an administrative issue regarding how mayoral expenses are governed.
While the Finance Committee had considered a draft Mayoral Allowance Policy outlining reimbursement procedures, the auditor noted that the report had only been recorded as "noted" in the committee's minutes.
The auditor has now recommended that the Full Town Council formally adopts the Mayor's Allowance Policy to ensure it is officially established.
Other town councils on the Yorkshire Coast also have annual allowances for their Mayors. Whitby Town Council's budget for last year had a Mayoral Allowance of £1,600, Filey Town Council's is set at £2,034, and the last available figures for Bridlington Town Council showed it paid a total of £435 to the Mayor and Deputy combined for expenses.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, local authorities are permitted to pay a Chairman or Town Mayor a reasonable allowance to meet the expenses associated with the office.
These allowances are intended to provide recompense for items such as appropriate clothing, transport, telephone contributions, and donations to charities at civic events.
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