It comes after a confidential audit on corporate credit card usage within Wagga City Council recommended the implementation of a stand-alone policy for card-holding employees.

“The use of corporate credit cards was previously incorporated into council’s procurement manual, however as part of (our) Procurement Improvement Program, it was determined that a stand-alone Credit Card Policy was warranted,” said Wagga City Council finance director Natalie Te Pohe.

It’s the first time local council has ever penned a company card policy and comes after a two-year spending spree.

Council workers waved the plastic at an astounding rate during the 2015/16 financial year, racking up $1,058,530.57 in corporate expenditure.

This exorbitant sum prompted an internal review in October 2016 which saw resulted in the reduction of more than 70 Wagga City Council corporate order purchase cards – 125 to the current 54.

The cull shaved more than $400,000 in corporate expenses the following financial year however a $656,196.54 sum accrued in 2016/17 was enough to warrant a stand-alone Credit Card Policy.

Ms Te Pohe denied the policy was prompted by excessive spending or misuse of corporate purchase cards, saying it would simply “provide improved transparency around the internal controls for council officers and for the community.”

With council expenditure now managed through a series of ‘purchase orders’, Ms Te Pohe said there was no need to implement further restrictions such as price ceilings.

“Council wouldn’t necessarily anticipate any further reductions as a result of this policy as any expenditure incurred is in accordance with council’s budget and … procurement manual,” she said.

The policies in question are to be placed on public exhibition between October 28 and November 27.