MOST Dorset councils paid 25p a mile more than the taxman’s recommended rate when settling officers’ mileage claims last year.

All Dorset councils, except for the county council, paid 65p a mile for car journeys rather than the HMRC approved 40p a mile rate, according to new figures from the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA).

TPA director Matthew Sinclair said ordinary motorists would be shocked by the deal council officers were receiving.

“It simply isn’t fair,” said Mr Sinclair, who added that local authorities could save millions by cutting back to the taxman’s recommended level.

“This is a quick and painless saving that won’t affect council services and will ease the burden on households, who’ve seen council tax double in the last decade.”

Bournemouth Council paid £1,151, 983 in mileage claims in the last financial year and £1,167,436 in 2008/09.

Service director Richard Saunders said the rates were paid in line with an agreement reached with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.

He said: “The council has already carried out a fundamental review of essential user allowances and recognises the need to review all mileage rates and this is currently being undertaken as part of our ongoing efficiency savings.”

Mileage rates at the Borough of Poole increased in line with those in Bournemouth, with the total claimed by council officers last year topping £491,000.

Poole council’s strategic director Andrew Flockhart said the council was considering cutting the rate.

He said: “On March 16, Poole’s cabinet approved plans to negotiate with trade unions about the mileage rate, with a view to reducing the amount paid.

“We expect to make progress on this in the near future.”

Dorset County Council’s mileage rate fell from 54.4p to 40p a mile, and rose in line with HMRC recommendations to 46p in April.

The TPA found that the average rate paid by UK councils was 56.4p in 2010/11.