All council bills over £500 to be disclosed

Town hall officials in Rochdale are being ordered to publish details of every bill that comes to more than £500 by new Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

It is part of the coalition Government’s attempt to restore the battered reputation of politics by launching a transparency blitz to making councils more open and accountable.

By September they will be expected to make details of spending on all goods and services, which could include anything from car hire to consultancy fees, available for the public to see as well as invitations to tender and final contracts on projects over £500.

In a letter to local authority chief executives the Secretary of State called for councils to throw open their files to also publish information on salaries, job titles, allowances and expenses and minutes of meetings.

Mr Pickles said: “Getting council business out in the open will revolutionise local government. Local people should be able to hold politicians and public bodies to account over how their hard-earned cash is being spent and decisions made on their behalf. They can only do that effectively if they have the information they need at their fingertips.

“Publishing the details will make councils think carefully about what is spent.

“They will also be encouraged to make information about services like rubbish and recycling rates, council tax collection rates and detail of major planned projects easier to access.”