Commissioners clock in to claim daily expenses

THE Church of Scotland’s General Assembly opened in Edinburgh yesterday with its usual pomp and ceremony, but it immediately turned its attention to ensuring commissioners attend regularly for the rest of the week by decreeing that they must “punch in” for sessions.

It passed proposals by the Assembly Arrangements Committee that all those attending the event must be present at 80 per cent of sessions – ten out of 13 – if they are to qualify for their expenses being reimbursed.

To do this, the Assembly has introduced individual handsets that mean people will effectively “punch in” when they vote during sessions, registering their presence.

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The Rev Janet Mathieson, convener of the committee, said the move was about ensuring value for money: “I’m sure that many commissioners are wearily familiar that it is so often asked at the end of Assembly, when they have returned to the parishes and congregations from where they have come: ‘Did you enjoy your wee break in Edinburgh?’

“It is often impossible to persuade such questioners that General Assembly week has not been spent in the coffee bars, department stores and tourist spots of the capital.”

She said the move came from concerns about poorly attended sessions and that the Kirk had to demonstrate that finances were being used properly.

Commissioners receive £55 a day in overnight expenses.