Andrea Hill has stayed at top hotels at the cost of the public purse

Revealed: Suffolk County Council chief Andrea Hill’s £1,800 hotel bills

By PAUL GEATER, local government correspondent, local government correspondent Saturday, April 2, 2011
3:00 PM

SUFFOLK: Council chief executive Andrea Hill stayed at top flight hotels at council taxpayers expense, a freedom of information request given to the Evening Star revealed today.

Mrs Hill – who is paid £218,000 a year and lives in Cambridgeshire – stayed two nights at one of the top hotels in the Ipswich area, Milsom’s at Kesgrave Hall.

She also stayed at expensive hotels when she was out of the county at conferences across the country.

The council paid almost £1,800 in hotel bills for their chief executive during the current financial year.

But her council-funded stays at Kesgrave ended after the county’s Conservative cabinet said it did not look good for her to be staying there at the council taxpayers’ expense.

Mrs Hill decided not to move to Suffolk when she took up her job in 2008.

The total cost of Mrs Hill’s hotel bills to council taxpayers during the year was £1,784.72.

That included three nights at the Haven Hotel in Poole at a cost of £615 during the Local Government Association conference in October.

The same month the council spent £341.41 on four nights at the St David’s Hotel in Cardiff during the Society Of Local Government Chief Executives conference.

The county also spent £320 on a two-night seminar with the Association of County Chief Executives in Breadsall Priory near the Peak District – that did include the seminar costs.

A one-night stay at the Thistle Trafalgar after a London 2012 dinner in the capital cost £143.31 and a stay at the Belfry Hotel in Cambridge between a two-day public sector leaders conference cost £75.

The stays at Kesgrave Hall, costing £85 a night, were in May and June last year.

On the first occasion Mrs Hill stayed there she had a late evening meeting followed by a 7.30am breakfast meeting.

On the second occasion she was due at a business breakfast meeting at Ipswich Town FC, which is next to the county council’s Endeavour House offices.

Geoff Dobson, Suffolk County Council’s head of finance, who reports to Mrs Hill, said: “The role of Chief Executive at Suffolk County Council often requires Andrea Hill to attend meetings and conferences in an official capacity outside of Suffolk.

“As a senior officer, she often works late into the evening and therefore requires hotels with sufficient business facilities.

“For a Chief Executive of a large organisation like a county council, these figures do not represent an excessive amount of overnight stays on official business.”

County council deputy leader Jane Storey said Mrs Hill had stopped staying at Kesgrave Hall at the authority’s expense after members of the cabinet became concerned.

She said: “Certain members of the cabinet had been made aware of some of the expenses and we were not happy so we talked to Jeremy (Pembroke) and he talked to Andrea.

“She was not going over the top so far as I am aware but we were very aware of the sensitivity of the situation and said this is not a good image.”

Mrs Storey said that the climate had since changed over the last year.

She said: “To be fair to Andrea I think she has changed some of the things that she does and puts in for. I feel she has changed some of her expenditure.”

The council picked up the bill for her to stay at the Brudenell after a dinner organised by the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality in the town.

Mrs Storey said the decision to stay at the Brudenell was different because it had given Mrs Hill the opportunity to meet other people from Suffolk well into the evening.

She said she would have expected that stay to have been agreed with Mr Pembroke.

Mrs Storey said that when the council recruited Mrs Hill they knew she live outside the county and that there would be times when she may be at a late-night dinner and at a breakfast meeting.

Conservative MP for North Ipswich and Central Suffolk Dr Dan Poulter said some of the expenditure seemed very high.

He said: “As an MP when we claim for hotel costs in central London there is a cap of £130 a night, and that is central London prices so to pay £615 for three nights in Poole sounds very expensive.

“So far as claiming hotel bills in Suffolk is concerned, I do not feel that is necessary – you should be able to make your own way to meetings.

“I am glad to hear that the cabinet acted on this.”

Opposition Liberal Democrat leader Kathy Pollard was concerned at the use of council funds to pay for hotel accommodation in the county.

She said: “The former chief executive Mike More also lived in Cambridgeshire, but he bought a small home in Ipswich at his own expense where he stayed if he had an early or late meeting.”

Labour group leader Sandy Martin said it would be acceptable for Mrs Hill to stay in a hotel in Suffolk at the council’s expense – but only if there were meetings continuing at the hotel well into the night or early next day.

He said: “Generally I would say it is either up to the person, whoever it is, to go home or to stay at their own expense.

“There was one occasion when I stayed at a hotel in Sudbury because people staying at the hotel were in meetings well into the night and from early the next morning and I think it was acceptable for that kind of thing to be paid for.

“But if you are just staying in a hotel as a matter of personal convenience and there are not meetings going on then that should be paid for privately and not by the authority.”

n What do you think about public money being spent on putting Andrea Hill up in luxury hotels? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk

May 6, 2010: Milsom’s, Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich (Late evening meeting followed by breakfast meeting the next day)

£85

May 24, 2010: Thistle, Trafalgar Square, London, (London 2012 networkingand dinner) £143.31

April 4, 2010: Belfry, Cambridge (Public sector leaders conference) £75

June 18, 2010: Milsom’s, Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich, (Breakfast meeting at Ipswich Town FC) £85

July 8, 2010: Haven Hotel, Poole (Local Government Association Conference) £615 (three nights)

November 16, 2010: Marriott, Breadsall Priory, Derby (Association of County Chief Executives spring seminar) £320 (two nights, including cost of seminar)

October 25, 2010: St David’s Hotel, Cardiff (Society Of Local Government Chief Executives conference) £341.41 (four nights)

February 22, 2011: Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh (Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality dinner) £120

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33 comments

If councillors thought this was wrong, and they did, why was the money paid and whay hasn't it been paid back? If the council agreed she could live out of the county why did they not require her to have a home in Suffolk where she could live during the week or provide a room in Endevour House for those occasions when she couldn't get home?

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amsterdam81

Tuesday, April 5, 2011
In this time when all we here about Cuts, Cuts, Cuts and more Cuts which are affecting all of us, but those on minimum income more, so it wouln't hurt Andrea Hill to cut her expenses drastically, or pay some herself. Afterall she is in a position to do so and as being the Leader of the Suffolk Council it would be should she not lead by example.

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John Simpson

Monday, April 4, 2011
Well, if Mrs Hill thinks her critics are jealous, she is correct, jealous of her extravagant disregard of the taxpayer's money she is spending, but angry at her obscene greed and her arrogance in thinking it is all OK (for her). Lastly, and she is not alone in thinking (Pembroken's council also) that the people of Suffolk should not know the extent of their excesses and that the Evening Star is simply stirring up unrest for exposing them. Keep up the good work ES, make these arrogant ' jobs worths' realize who they are working for. Let our SC councillors volunteer for their work like they expect so many of the public to do in their New Strategic Direction

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Brian Betts

Monday, April 4, 2011
I am so disappointed in ES for continuing to insult its readership by thinking non-stories like this one will encourage us all to take up our pitchforks and revolt against Ms Hill. As other readers have said, 1800 a year for a CEO of a massive organisation is nothing; in fact it's very prudent. I'd love to know how much the ES lot spend on schmoozing clients every year, the trips to glitzy press balls, etc. Your issue with this woman is clearly professional jealousy or sexism; or both. Your story oozes a smug arrogance that suggests that people will care about your exclusive "expose" but, as many people here have suggested, we don't! Now how about a litte less bullying and a little more NEWS reporting, please?

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Star Gazing

Monday, April 4, 2011
she should stay in a b&b it will save loads of money

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sgt bloggs

Sunday, April 3, 2011
I completely and totally agree with Sky Red - there is now a vendetta against her being conducted by our local political "reporter" with the backing of the editor - it's a total sham. The paper should concentrate on reporting the more important matters and issues that the town of Ipswich currently faces in these times of austerity - shame on our local press!!

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Chris Ward

Sunday, April 3, 2011
A national has been reporting that she has defended against her critics in a newspaper report, stating they are "jealous". Sure, I'm jealous of a 220k salary, but that does not make her sheer arrogance right.

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Winston Barrington Jr.

Sunday, April 3, 2011
It is important that our council leaders can attend conferences and schmoze reguarly!

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Winston Barrington Jr.

Sunday, April 3, 2011
How much longer can she and this go one for???????????????

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Ipswich Man

Sunday, April 3, 2011
she earns £218.000 a year where do you expect her to stay a travel lodge seem the only peolple bothered about her extravagant life style is the paper dont see anyone protesting for her to go or to take a pay cut incredible considering the raise in cost of living (cant even afford to take my kids on the buses now )

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john john

Sunday, April 3, 2011
Appearances seem to count for quite a lot. The County Council Tories didn't say that Andrea's hotel bills were "bang out of order" but that they "did not look good." Perhaps a requirement of the county council's Chief Executive post could be that the post holder moves to the county (or at least rents a flat at their own expense) within three months of taking up the position. Not only would that "look good", but it would also save a few bob in expense claims!

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martha farquhar

Sunday, April 3, 2011
Up to now the Evening Star has been running a very sensible and revealing campaign about the senior management at Suffolk CC and more power to your elbow! However, this story really does not add anything to the issues and rather detracts from this important subject. Looking through the hotel costs I really do not see anything untoward; in fact they seem pretty reasonable for a senior member of an of organisation, including a local newspaper! Come on Star; keep revealing important matters that give genuine concern but not trivia as it does not help the story.

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Roy Stephenson

Sunday, April 3, 2011
This is an absolute disgrace. I live in Ipswich, and on occasion have to be in places as far aways as Brighton for 9am - so I leave early. On the wages she's paid, should either get out of bed early or pay the hotel room herself. I bet we tax payers have to pay her travel costs too...!

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Little Dave Hedgehog

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Hard to see how she'll hang on after this.

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Simon K

Saturday, April 2, 2011
If this woman had any real interest in Suffolk would'nt she move here. Unbelievable arrogance, let the little people pay my overnight expenses. Let them pay for fancy photos when she could have used students from the new Uni. Pembroke has done the only sensible thing and has fallen on his sword. When weill this silly woman do the same ?

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graham garrod

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Hell hath no fury, Mr Geater, like a journo scorned! Could we at least have some comparative figures: how much less than £1800 does a newspaper editor or a local MP spend in a year on hotels. The fact that you have decided to include "other costs" in the bill would suggest this to be more a vendetta than an expose. You are starting to induce a certain sympathy toward Ms Hill - please don't.

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Sky Red

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Judging by the tan lines on her face she's recentely enjoyed a skiing holiday. Why exactly is she getting paid so much?

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Felixstowe Girl

Saturday, April 2, 2011
takes the money a bit too freely .. and takes the ppp biscuit.. let her pay her own hotel bills if staying in the county .. her idea not to move to the area why should we pay ???

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MORNINGSTAR

Saturday, April 2, 2011
The rates seem quite reasonable, the choice of hotels, not that swish... Heck, I've stayed at Thistle in Trafalgar Sq, (I hope the hotel fixed that leaking shower!)... compared to the private sector £1,800 for a whole year is tiny! It seems too she had good reasons to be there, and to stay overnight... thanks for letting us know Paul... but to me, its all quite reasonable really.

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Fat Lady Sings

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Yes I know everyone will say what is wrong with Premier Inn at £49.00 per nite but these are standard business rates charged by hotels. I work for a PLC and have been on business and my company was being charged £150.00 a nite in 2003

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the opinion man

Saturday, April 2, 2011
I fear that this lady is continuing to "take the proverbial" at the expense of hard pressed Suffolk people which appears to indicate that further training on human relations is required or else she does not give a damn about what her employers think. It would also be interesting to learn if she claims for travelling expenses to and from her Cambridgeshire home in her 3 or 4 liter Mercedes.

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Brian Betts

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Forget her - a lost cause till she moves on. I reckon it cost us tax payers a damn sight more than that for all these letters sent out unnecessarily offering us all the option of a postal vote for the Alternative Vote referendum. Councils sure know how to squander our money.

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Sarky Sage

Saturday, April 2, 2011
I am fed up hearing the constant waste of money this woman brings to our county. If I need to be somewhere early the next day for work, i get up earlier and i do not get paid any extra or overtime. She really makes my blood boil .

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Rob

Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE SOONER WE SEE THE BACK OF THIS WOMAN THE BETTER FOR THE COUNCIL-TAX PAYER , AND NEXT TIME THEY APPOINT HER REPLACEMENT USE A LITTLE MORE SENSIBILITY ON THE SALARY...

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pablo gonzalas

Saturday, April 2, 2011
What's wrong with a premier inn or travel lodge they start from £30 a night plus with her salary she can then buy her own food and drinks .....

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ukmartian

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Where do you expect her to stay? A B&B on london road ,This war on Ms Hill is now getting personal how about getting at the people who set the stupid wage she gets ,If i was offered a job at £200,000+ a year i would take it

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Robert Bulmer

Saturday, April 2, 2011
I am in no way a fan of Ms Hill, but she is only the scapegoat for Pembroken and co. However I think the Star is really scraping the barrel now digging for anything they can. I stay in hotels for work occasionally and some of those prices look good value these days. The overall point about financial accountability of public servants (which I heartily endorse) and the obvious arrogance by some "members" (which I abhor) has been well made now. Lets look for some news??

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Weary Traveller

Saturday, April 2, 2011
absolutely disgusting if she spent more time using her OWN MONEY not ours get her out with the others

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jennifer sharpe

Saturday, April 2, 2011
There is really nothing one can say about this story.. I think we can all read that this Lady is causing a real problem for the county. And it is now time for her to go.

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biggles the pilot

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Just gets better and better doesn't it? Most of it just beggars belief and the fact that councillors told her to stop it suggests that they think it was wrong. How come (as an officer of the council) she wasn't disciplined. The main question is - if she lives in Cambridgeshire how come we, the taxpayers, are paying for her to stay in a hotel in Cambridge? And since she would in theory have to come into Ipswich anyway for work why the bills for Ipswich hotels? If she decides to have a drink and not drive home then that's up to her, not for the council tax payers to pick up the tab for. Noses in trough....

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Citizen

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Can someone please explain what anyone has to do to be reprimanded by Suffolk County Council. If she chooses to live so far away, then she obviously should pay her own hotel bills, or get up a bit earlier to make it in to Ipswich. Lets face it she can spend public money on her own photograph shoot, her own personal lifestyle coach, expensive hotel fees, and accept foreign trips from a supplier to SCC, and no one thinks to question this mis appropriation of public money. I know if I had attempted anyone of these outrageous stunts, my employer would have fired me, or prosecuted me for theft! No wonder Mr. Pembroke has decided to jump ship. How many more stories like this will it take before someone sacks this self centred Chief Executive, who thinks that spending this money on herself is fine, whilst at the same time planning to make thousands of her staff redundant?

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england1770

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Can someone tell me what's wrong with these people staying in Travelodge's or Premier Inns like the rest of us ? Its our money and they continue to claim vast sums of money surely the time to start closing the purse strings and think before they spend ?

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Nick Ward

Saturday, April 2, 2011
To honest this does not look that expensive, possibly with the exception of Haven Hotel Poole. I stayed at Breadsall Priory last year and it cost me more that Ms Hill paid. If she only spent £1800 in a year that does not seem too bad. I'm all for her going, but I think Mr Geater has got it wrong on this occasion.

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R2 D2

Saturday, April 2, 2011

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