ODA bosses claim £56,000 in expenses

Figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) reveal that board members and directors submitted expenses claims for over £56,000 last year, including for memory sticks, flowers and cups of coffee.

The notes to the body’s annual report show that construction director Howard Shiplee was the biggest claimant, submitting expenses for £15,056, which included £10,023 on accommodation costs and £773 on entertaining. His guests included Mace, Davis Langdon, CH2M Hill, Crossrail and Bovis Lend Lease.

Chief executive David Higgins submitted a claim for £2,396 that revealed his preference for public transport over taxis. His annual taxi bill was £328.50, compared with a £784 claim for public transport fares. He spent only £99 on entertaining, £76 of which was at a Canary Wharf restaurant called Plateau, a favoured haunt of the ODA bosses, according to their expense claims.

ODA chairman John Armitt submitted a £8,974 claim, which included £266.34 on four lunches at First Edition restaurant in Docklands.

The annual report showed that the wage bill was £15.25m, producing an average salary of £67,000. The highest paid director was paid £438,000 compared with £537,000 last year. Chairman Armitt received £250,000.

The report also shows that delivery partner CLM was paid £141m, by the ODA including a performance bonus of £47m.

Other payments included £1.5m to consultant Capita Symonds, £4.2m to organising committee LOCOG, £3.2m to the London borough of Newham, £30m to Network Rail and £76m to Transport for London.