NEW figures show Kirklees Council’s top officer is not claiming expenses for travel within Yorkshire.

Chief executive Adrian Lythgo is not taking money to which he is entitled for journeys on official business.

He explained he had decided not to claim all his expenses because of the public spending squeeze.

Kirklees is in the middle of a cost-cutting exercise which will see its non-school workforce drop from 11,200 to 9,500.

Services are also expected to be hit as the council has to meet a multi-million cut in funding from the Government.

Mr Lythgo said: “When journeys are round about Kirklees I don’t see the point in charging the council.

“We all have to demonstrate we are economising because of the financial situation.”

Mr Lythgo’s policy came to light following a Freedom of Information request from Linthwaite man Trevor Woolley for Kirklees officers’ expenses claims.

The figures show Mr Lythgo has not claimed for 13 journeys within Yorkshire since taking over as chief executive in August.

Six of the meetings took place in Leeds, three in Dewsbury and one each in Brighouse, Cleckheaton, Wakefield and Bradford.

Mr Lythgo, who uses his car or one of the City Club vehicles outside Civic Centre 3, said: “When it’s a journey of 12 miles or something like that, I think it’s best not to claim.

“But this is a personal thing, I wouldn’t expect other people to do the same.”

Mr Lythgo added he had submitted claims for six or seven rail journeys to London since becoming chief executive. However, the information had not appeared on the council’s records at the time the Freedom of Information request was made.

The figures show Mr Lythgo’s predecessor Rob Vincent regularly claimed for travel within Yorkshire.

In 2007 he ran up £1,482 of expenses, including £834 in conference fees, £521 for travel and £127 of subsistence.

His claims included eight train journeys to Leeds and three £10 parking passes for Wakefield Station.

In 2008 the chief executive claimed £1,844, including £842 in travel, £781 of conference fees and £221 for subsistence.

Mr Vincent claimed £928 in 2009, all of it on travel.

In the first six months of 2010, he claimed £70.40 worth of rail tickets.

Mr Lythgo pointed out his predecessor had more travel commitments.

He said: “Rob was on the Communities and Local Government Board, which involved him going to London.

“That’s not a commitment which I have.”

Yesterday the Examiner revealed the expenses claims of Kirklees councillors, including bills for party conferences, away days and the Challenge Cup final.