MINEHEAD town councillors this week learned that a dog-bin emptier was paid more than £13,000 for work which, it was claimed, was not on the schedule of payments of over £1,000 which should have been authorised by all council members.

Cllr Terry Venner, who brought the payment to members’ attention at Tuesday’s full council meeting, said the bill was for £13,278.22 and added: “I have never been aware of a contract for emptying litter and dog bins and I find that figure somewhat frightening. What worries me is who authorised payment?

“I don’t know about anyone else, but this is the first I have heard of this payment.

“Any bill for over £1,000 should be seen and authorised by councillors and this was apparently paid in May. I want to know to whom it was paid and what is the contract?”

Temporary financial officer Andy Giles, who joined the council in June, said: “I assume that the payments, made in May, which were over £1,000 had been brought before the council and had been authorised.

“Obviously, with the departure of the previous clerk, there may have been some payments which were not brought before the council.

“In answer to your question, I can certainly dig out the paperwork and if needs be, we can bring it back with the contract for the authorisation of payment.”

Cllr Venner replied: “We do need you to come back to us at the next meeting and tell us exactly what this contract is. It’s unbelievable.

“I want to know who authorised the contract, and what the terms were. This should be sorted out as a matter of urgency.”

Councillors voted unanimously to discuss the matter again at their August meeting.