A CONSERVATIVE councillor has called on the council to provide “urgent transparency and scrutiny” on an independent review into two councillors' expenses.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Anne Meadows expressed “serious doubts” that the review into the expenses of Councillor Alex Phillips and the council’s joint finance lead Councillor Tom Druitt “constitutes an independent review”.

The independent review is being undertaken by the Orbis Internal Audit Service, part of a three-council partnership of which Brighton and Hove City Council is part.

The partnership is overseen by a joint committee, which includes Labour group co-leader Councillor Carmen Appich and Councillor David Gibson, who serves as joint finance spokesman with Cllr Tom Druitt.

In her letter to the council’s democratic services officer, Cllr Meadows said: “There are therefore serious doubts as to whether this constitutes an independent review of expenses as has been described.

“As to preserve the integrity of the review, should any Brighton and Hove Council members take part in that review?

“This matter needs urgent transparency and scrutiny given the seriousness of the matters raised.”

Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty confirmed last week that an independent review had been launched into the pair after allegations of irregularities in claims for child care by Cllr Phillips.

The Argus revealed last month that more than a quarter of money claimed for child care during council meetings made by Cllr Phillips was for times when meetings had already finished or were yet to start.

This newspaper also revealed that Cllr Phillips made six claims for child care while in France during the first lockdown - despite Cllr Druitt previously denying that any claims were made while in the country from March to July 2020.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said that the report is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.

He said: “The investigation into councillor expenses is being carried out by the Orbis internal audit team and is being led by a manager from Surrey County Council.

“Orbis is a partnership of three councils that managers a number of back-office services on behalf of the three councils.

“As one of the partners in Orbis we, of course, have councillors overseeing its general operations and direction.

“However, no councillors from any of the three councils will be involved in the investigation.

“There are strict rules of professional practice that regulate audit functions so as to ensure impartiality and objectivity.

“Under these rules the Orbis internal audit team has to adhere to very stringent professional standards. Auditor independence is at the heart of these.

“We are aware of Cllr Meadows' letter and will be responding to her in due course.”