THE Examiner can today reveal the full bill for Julie Alderson’s four-month stint at Kirklees Council.

The taxpayer forked out £4,860.91 in expenses during her spell as interim director of resources – while she was paid approximately £40,000 in salary.

Kirklees hired Ms Alderson in October, 2010, to help draw up a plan to cut the council’s budget by £80m over three years, with the loss of 1,700 jobs.

The council agreed to pay for a flat at Millroyd Mill in Brighouse for Ms Alderson, who lives in Tyneside.

Taxpayers also forked out for the weekly journey from her home in the North-East to Brighouse and her daily commute to Huddersfield.

Ms Alderson – who was on a salary equivalent to £120,000 a year – charged taxpayers for lightbulbs and batteries for her flat.

Earlier this month the Examiner revealed Ms Alderson’s expenses claims for December, 2010, and January, 2011. Following a second request under the Freedom of Information Act, we can now reveal Ms Alderson’s full expenses claims for her time at Kirklees from October, 2010, until February of this year.

The figures show:

Ms Alderson claimed £1,950 for five months’ rent at Millroyd Mill. The apartment complex includes a swimming pool, gym and jacuzzi

Taxpayers also paid out £312.80 for her parking costs

Ms Alderson was paid £1,704.40 in mileage during her time at Kirklees

She also claimed £33.60 for Tyne Tunnel tolls

Ms Alderson made a number of claims in January, including £276.42 for meals and groceries and £11.52 for light-bulbs and batteries.

Earlier this month the council defended Ms Alderson’s appointment saying she was “the best available candidate” and her contract was “commonplace in local government”.

But Clr Andrew Cooper, leader of the Greens on Kirklees, said yesterday there should be stricter rules about council officers’ expenses.

The Newsome man said: “There needs to be clear guidelines on what is an allowable expense.

“Ironically, that’s the sort of thing you would look to a director of resources to produce.”

Ms Alderson began work as interim director of resources at Kirklees in late October on a monthly salary of £10,000.

David Smith took over the position on a permanent basis on February 21.

Ms Alderson has moved on to another high-paid temporary position.

On March 13 she began a six-month role as interim corporate director of finance at Harrow Council in London.

Ms Alderson is being paid a monthly fee of £16,300 – but Harrow Council is not paying her any expenses.

The Examiner contacted Harrow Council on March 15 to ask if Ms Alderson would like to comment on her time at Kirklees.

A spokesman said Ms Alderson had “nothing further to add”.