10:29am Friday 10th July 2009
By Andy Tate
THE boss of a regional development agency who spent £1,000 of taxpayers’ money a week on taxis and a personal driver is to step down.
James Braithwaite was slated by MPs and senior councillors after claiming £36,000 for taxis in 2005/6 – an average of £230 for each day he worked at the South East England Regional Development Agency (Seeda) – and £53,803 for transport in 2006/7.
His replacement as chairman was unveiled yesterday and promised to save taxpayers’ cash – by taking the bus.
Rob Douglas said he was “very sensitive” to public opinion following claims the organisation wasted money.
Seeda, which was set up ten years ago to boost jobs and redevelopment in the region, came under further fire for spending almost £90,000 on an exhibit and hospitality at the Chelsea Flower Show, while the Taxpayers’ Alliance claimed the region’s economic performance showed no improvement – and even a slowing of progress – since Seeda was created.
The Government has since slashed Seeda’s budget for 2009-11 by £50m, to £280m, and slimmed down its role.
Mr Braithwaite was first appointed chairman in 2002 and his term of office, which formally came to an end in December last year, was extended by one year to provide time to recruit his successor.
Mr Douglas, a business consultant, yesterday denied Seeda was a waste of money, arguing that the agency “more than doubled” the money invested in it by creating jobs and boosting tourism.
The new chairman, who will receive an annual salary of £54,479 for working just two days a week when he takes up his post in November, said: “I wouldn’t have put myself forward unless I thought the agency was going to deliver something of value.”
The 60-year-old, who lives in Surrey, defended Mr Braithwaite, who he said had been “tireless in his efforts to promote the region”.
But he admitted the continuing criticism of his predecessor had become a distraction from what Seeda was trying to do for the region and pledged to be “as open and as transparent as possible”with his own expenditure.
Mr Douglas said: “I do have a senior bus pass, which should reduce costs, and I can get to most areas by public transport.”
He said he was a “keen walker”, having hiked up to 16 miles a day around the region on various national trails, and vowed to “save even more money” by walking where he could.
He also argued that his experience on the board of Seeda between 2001 and 2007, and as deputy chairman of the agency between 2003 and 2007, would enable him to “hit the ground running” and “make sure firms in the region get the support they need to get through the recession”.
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