An investigation into Heslington Hall expenses has revealed that the Vice-Chancellor conducts the majority of his domestic travel by private chauffeur, costing the University £37,770.82 between August 2006 and July 2010.
For the first time ever, a full breakdown of Brian Cantor’s expense claims has been obtained, documenting every penny claimed by the VC on top of his £200,000 plus salary. His travel expense invoices show that between August 2009 and July 2010, payments made to Executive 1 Chauffeur Services Limited racked up to £10,784.69, accounting for 43 journeys. The average trip cost just over £250.
All journeys start or end at Heslington Hall or the Vice-Chancellor’s house opposite Central Hall. Among the most surprising and excessive uses of the chauffeur service include;
– A two leg journey to London via Cambridge costing £799.59.
– A return journey to Heathrow airport costing £634.50.
– A return trip to King’s Manor in York costing £287.50.
– A transfer to the Heslington East campus costing £141.
A University spokesperson responded to our findings, stating: “The Vice-Chancellor makes use of a hired car and driver for some business trips. This allows him to make best use of his time and to continue working between meetings. He also travels by rail where this is practical and occasionally uses his own car.”
On the chauffeur company’s website, it states: “With Executive 1 Chauffeur Services you can be sure to arrive at your destination on time and in style.”
Almost all trips made using the chauffeur could have been made through alternative modes of transport such as train or taxi at a significantly lower cost. Only 19 journeys were made by train in the last academic year. This totalled to £3,570 averaging at less than £188 per trip. The invoices show that the Vice-Chancellor always paid £167 for a one way train ticket between York and London, the highest you can possibly pay for that journey if you buy a first-class peak time ticket on the day.
Student reaction to the findings was mixed; Luke Grant, a second-year Economics student bemusingly asked: “How can the Vice-Chancellor ride upon his horse and carriage at a time when students are struggling more than ever? I’d have took him to Hes East and back for a tenner.” While second-year Psychology student, Frankie May said: “I suppose if it lets him work more while travelling the extra cost can be justified.”
In total, Brian Cantor claimed £39,804.85 for the academic year 2009/10, 21% less than the previous year’s figure of £50,541.92.
In May 2010, Vision reported that the Vice-Chancellor claimed £134,857 between August 2006 and July 2009. The story was eventually picked by the BBC, York Press and Private Eye.
Oh well not that much. Will only pay for one student’s tuition fees come 2012.
WHAT THE HELL. honestly i am amazed the university can justify this- practically £800 on a journey to london! he should go to eastcoast rail, he’d be amazed. £30-£35 for a seat to london, it gets you there in 2 hours. you can book- free of charge- a table seat and even specify if you want to be by the window (for those moments where you might feel a semblance of emotion for the students you are planning to price out of your uni). if you were worried about table space, fuckit book the whole lot! 4 x £35 =£140. also, compare a 2 hour train journey to a 5 hour drive- you will probably get more work done the 3 hours you are not traveling anyway! and for a cheeky £1 you can get it delivered to your office so you don’t need to get to the station early. or do anything, at all, for yourself.
and don’t get me started on “- A transfer to the Heslington East campus costing £141”. it costs £8 to get from clifton moore to hes east in a cab! you can get flights across the UK for cheaper than that (£15 newcastle – london, for instance), hell some international flights are cheaper than that!