Travelling Expenses

Harold has shoved his planning application decisions in a box. “I’m not paid enough to do council work on weekends,” he said. “It can wait until Monday at the very least.”

I pointed out that he wasn’t paid at all. Just expenses occurred during the pursuit of council business.

“Expenses only?” he said. “That means I’ve done twenty hours this week for sixty pence.”

“You could get creative with the expenses sheet,” I said. “A moat for the manor, perhaps?”

He frowned. “I’m only a councilman,” he said. “I’d have to be at least an MP to claim that.”

“How about your journey to the council chambers?” I said. “You could claim travelling costs.”

Harold shrugged. “Five minutes walk across the square,” he said. “Hardly an expenses claim.”

“What if you drove, though?”

He frowned. “That would take half an hour around the one-way system.”

“There you go,” I said. “An hour’s travelling expenses, plus limousine hire.”

“Hardly ethical, though.” He paused, lost in thought for a moment. “How much is an hour’s travelling?”

“Thirty pounds plus.”

He pulled the council box toward him again. “I have an afternoon appointment, I think,” he said.


Image: Ethical Studies by Robert A Bowie