I am left incredulous by your story Councillors Expenses Are ‘Irregular, Not Fraudulent’ (June 22) If some councillors have been claiming for multiple return journeys from home to the Civic Centre, Southend, when they haven’t set foot outside the building, and if they have been claiming for mileage when they haven’t even got a vehicle, this has got to be fraud.

I really cannot imagine the expenses rules being that difficult to interpret for seemingly intelligent people.

Is this another mini version of the MPs’ expenses fiasco? Any councillor found to be making fraudulent claims should be sacked.

When I campaigned as an independent candidate in the recent council elections, I said I would not claim any expenses, if elected.

I also called for all councillors’ in-borough expenses to be scrapped, as I believe their allowance is quite adequate to cover these costs. I am pleased to see, it has now been recommended that these expenses are done away with.

Garry Sheen
Boyce Hill Close
Leigh