Bolton Council’s chief executive has said he has no problem with plans to reveal spending on taxpayer-funded credit cards — because he does not have one.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles wants all local authorities to make public details of the costs of “small scale” hospitality being put on corporate credit cards.

Reports say that there are more than 140,000 public sector cards, called Government Procurement Cards, held by senior council staff across the country.

But Sean Harriss, the chief executive of Bolton Council, says he is not one of them.

He said: “I do not get expenses and do not have a corporate credit card or any payment systemfor things of this nature. I get reimbursed for things that I pay for while carrying out council business.”

A Freedom of Information request shows that Mr Harriss has claimed £1,602.99 in the last three years, mainly on hotel accommodation for Society of Local Authority Chief Executive (SOLACE) conferences, Local Government Association meetings and other council engagements outside the borough.

Closer scrutiny of his “reimbursements”

shows that Mr Harris made three claims for taxi fares and/or London Underground tickets, five hotel claims and six claims for refreshments and other costs between April 2007 and March 2010.

Mr Harriss said: “I have no problem with being open and transparent but it is something we do already to a large extent. I only claim what is appropriate but this does not necessarily reflect what I have paid out.

“I keep the charges to a minimum but I do incur some costs while attending meetings and conferences on behalf of the council either with members or as chief executive.”

Mr Pickles revealed his plans to open up local government decision- makers to even more public scrutiny at the Conservatives’ Spring Conference this weekend in Cardiff.

He said: “Council bosses should open up these credit cards to the sunlight of public scrutiny. Town hall chief executives: What have you got to hide?