A POLITICAL group has questioned Cumberland council over the failure of the authority to disclose spending on its corporate credit cards - but the council says that the issue is still under investigation by police.

At the Cumberland council full council meeting on September 27, Colin May from the political group Putting Cumbria First questioned the council over the failure to publish spending on its corporate credit cards.

Mr May referred to previous challenges Cumberland Council has received from Putting Cumbria First over its 'failure under the local government transparency code' including what they say is 'the failure to publish spending of the council'.

"This is, following those challenges, now happening although on a rather long lead time from spending to publishing of spending data," he said.

He said that despite the challenge the council has 'still failed to publish, as of the time of submitting this question, any of its credit card spending since April 1 2023 on its 100-plus corporate credit cards held by this council'.

Mr May said that Putting Cumbria First was informed in 2023 by this council the reason was that publishing may reveal some illegal activity that could be subject to criminal proceedings.

Asking his question, Mr May said: "When will this council comply with the local government transparency code and publish the credit card spending and the details of the misuse by staff on the corporate credit cards?

"We are now in September 2024 and this council has still failed to publish any record of its credit card spend, with no legal action taken against any individuals despite misuse of cards?"

Responding to Mr May, Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer said: "Obviously the issue is still with the police and is currently part of an ongoing investigation.

"The council takes the matters pretty seriously, in fact unbelievable seriously and we are co-operating with the police in their investigation.

"Once concluded then all our financial information will be published, and as such it would not be appropriate for me to provide further comment at this time."