Councillors claim over £65k expenses from public purse
NICOLA FINDLAY & STEPHEN BARK
South Lanarkshire councillors claimed almost £66,000 in expenses last year.
Most claims made were for travel costs – including more than £44,000 in mileage – while £10,940 was paid by the council for phone and IT costs.
Councillors claimed £1718 more in expenses last year than they did in 2017-18.
In East Kilbride a total of £12,658 was claimed.
Basic pay for the majority of councillors was £16,994, however leaders of opposition groups, committee chairpersons and the Provost and Depute Provost all earned over £20,000.
East Kilbride Central South Councillor John Anderson, Chair of the Community and Enterprise Resources Committee topped the table in the East kilbride area with total expenses of £2142 – the largest part of which related to car expenses at £2023. His basic salary is £25,793.
This was followed by Depute Provost Councillor Collette Stevenson, also EK Central South, who claimed £1730 on top of her basic salary of £24,693.
The third biggest claimant was Avondale and Stonehouse Councillor Isobel Dorman at £1478. She earns the basic salary of £16, 994.
At the other end of the scale East Kilbride East Councillor Jim Wardhaugh claimed only £118 in telephone/IT costs, while Councillor Gladys Miller, who represents the same ward, claimed just £119 as did East Kilbride South Councillor Geri Gray.
An SNP spokesperson said: “All expense claims are within the guidelines set down by the Government and are used to assist councillors in fulfilling their duties.”
Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor, Mark McGeever, said: “I think all parties would agree with us that it’s crucial people can trust the expenses claimed by councillors are genuine and reasonable costs incurred in the course of their duties.
“The system used in South Lanarkshire rightly requires councillors itemise any expenses and submit receipts. These then need to be approved by officers before they are reimbursed.
“Along with the fact the figures for each elected member are published every year, this should mean anyone making excessive claims would be spotted and challenged.
“Speaking for the Liberal Democrat group, I know we are totally committed to transparency and delivering value for our constituents.”
A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Labour group added: “The council publishes information on salaries, expenses and costs associated with items provided to councillors to assist them in their duties, such as mobile devices.
“A breakdown of these costs is made available in the interest of public scrutiny.
“Most are on a basic salary, those in senior positions will earn a higher salary and expenses can vary, reflecting the specific duties and responsibilities of that councillor as well as other factors such as the geography of their ward or any training or conferences they may have attended on behalf of the council.”
Paul Manning, executive director of finance and corporate resources, said: “Elected members have a wide and varied role to play. Additionally, depending upon their responsibilities, Councillors may also attend Scotland-wide groups. Reasonable travelling and subsistence expenses are provided to elected members in order that they can fulfil their role as effectively as possible.
“The amount of Members’ remuneration and expenses and the arrangements for paying them are governed by legislation.”