Published: Friday, 4th December, 2009 2:00pm

Councillor accused of benefit fraud

by Brian Hossack

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A FORMER deputy provost has been charged with defrauding Inverclyde Council over a two-year period.

Charles McCallum, 67, now a ward councillor for Inverclyde North, allegedly claimed council tax benefit after failing to inform the Department of Work and Pensions he was receiving cash for his duties as an elected member.

The charge relates to dates between 18 June 2007 and 24 June 2009.

He is also charged with illegally banking pension credits between 4 May 2007 and 29 March 2009 by failing to notify the DWP he had begun work as a councillor and was receiving an allowance and income from the position.

A third charge against the councillor claims he failed to report a change in the circumstances of his disability living allowance in that he did not report there had been an improvement in his health which allowed him to manage his declared incapacities and disabilities. It is alleged this improvement allowed him to reduce the care and assistance he required to perform his everyday tasks.

The charge relates to dates between 4 May 2007 and 30 June 2009.

The councillor was not present at Greenock Sheriff Court yesterday but was represented by solicitor Claire Stevenson when the case called before Sheriff John Herald.

Ms Stevenson asked for the case to be continued without plea until later this year.

Mr McCallum was elected as a councillor in May 2007 as a Labour party member. He now serves as an independent councillor.

The 67-year-old is expected to appear in person when the case is recalled later this month.

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