A senior councillor has criticised opposition members over their travel expense claims, saying the figures show a “significant difference” compared to the current administration.
Stuart Matthews, Nottinghamshire County Council cabinet member for finance and resources, said the current Reform UK-led administration had reduced spending on councillor travel compared to the previous Conservative leadership.
He said the authority’s 41 Reform UK councillors claimed a total of £7,289 in travel expenses in the 2025/26 financial year, which he described as an 81 per cent reduction compared to previous spending levels.
Mr Matthews also referenced figures from the 2024/25 financial year, when the council was under Conservative control, stating that five fewer councillors had claimed a combined £39,223.95 in travel expenses.
He further said that in the most recent financial year, Conservative councillors—now forming a minority group of 18 members—claimed £11,889 in travel expenses, which he said was around £4,600 more than the current administration despite having fewer councillors.
Mr Matthews said: “Since May we’ve worked tirelessly to return the trust of the public in the political system. Elected officials are always open to scrutiny, and we wanted to be transparent and share this with the public. Councillors are there to serve, not be served.”
He added that travel expenses should be “reasonable and proportionate” and argued the figures demonstrated a clear difference between administrations.
“The issue isn’t that they claimed travel expenses, the issue is how much has been claimed,” he said.
Mr Matthews said the current administration had sought to “reduce waste and find efficiencies”, adding: “Travel expenses can be used, not abused.”
He described the changes as part of what he called “the Reform way”.
In response, Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The claims made by Reform UK on councillor travel expenses are misleading and lack important context.
“In any workplace—public or private—it is entirely normal for employees to be reimbursed for necessary travel undertaken as part of their duties.
“Councillors are no different. We attend meetings, community events, and represent residents across a large county. That requires travel. At a time when fuel prices remain high, it is reasonable and appropriate that councillors, like workers in any business, can claim back the cost of travelling to carry out their job role.
“What Reform fail to mention is how they are choosing to spend taxpayers’ money elsewhere. While criticising legitimate travel expenses, they have overseen £75,000 on flags and £40,000 on a council magazine delivered to every home in Nottinghamshire. These costs alone dwarf the travel expenses they seek to attack.
“Let’s be clear: travel expenses enable councillors to be present, visible, and working for their communities. Flags and glossy publications do not fix local issues, support vulnerable residents, or represent constituents at meetings.
“And the figures themselves tell a story Reform would rather avoid. Higher travel claims reflect councillors who are out in their communities—attending meetings, supporting residents, and doing the job properly. If others are claiming significantly less, residents are entitled to ask whether that reflects a lower level of on-the-ground engagement.
“This is about priorities. Conservatives believe in supporting frontline representation—ensuring councillors can do the job they were elected to do. Reform’s approach appears to favour headline-grabbing comparisons while diverting attention from their own spending choices.
“Residents deserve transparency, but they also deserve honesty and proper context. Conservative Councillors will continue to stand up for responsible spending that directly benefits the people we serve.”
