Councillors’ allowances in the spotlight

LOUGHBOROUGH county councillors received more than £73,300 in allowances last year.

Leicestershire County Hall has released figures showing how £900,390 was split between 55 councillors between April 2016 and March 2017.

Councillors can claim a basic allowance of £10,152 and those who hold a specific role, such as a cabinet role or chair of a committee, may claim a ‘special responsibility’ allowance.

Councillors may also ask for money to cover public transport and cycle milage, mileage and ‘subsistence and other costs’.

In 2016/17, council leader Nick Rushton was given the largest allowance - £50,612.

Coun Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways and transport and the Rothley and Mountsorrel representative, received £29,496.

And Coun Robert Sharp, who represented Loughborough South and led the Labour group until he lost his seat in May’s election, received £20,889.

Other councillors’ total allowances were: • Jewel Miah, Loughborough East, £11,222 • Betty Newton,

Loughborough North, £10,301

• Max Hunt, Loughborough North West, £12,653 • Peter Lewis, Loughborough South West, £18,250

• Iain Bentley, Birstall, £10,152 • David Snartt, Bradgate, £10,152 • Tony Kershaw, Quorn and Barrow, £13,200

• Christine Radford, Shepshed, £12,919 • Richard Shepherd, Sileby and the Wolds, £17,655

• Trevor Pendleton, Castle Donington and Kegworth, £14,136

• Leon Spence, Whitwick, £12,340 For the full breakdown of allowances, visit www.leicestershire.gov. uk and search ‘councillors’ allowances and expenses’.