£1million cut on council salaries
THE total amount paid towards council salaries and expenses has dropped more than £1million in Glasgow over the last year.
Figures showing a summary of expenses for the 2016/17 financial year revealed that the total from councillors and chief officers’ salaries and expenses was £1,227,370 less than total amounts taken from the 2015/16 accounts.
The summary showed councillors, in the most recent fi- nancial year, claimed £52,944.32 in expenses.
This is compared to £95,986.77 which was claimed the previous year.
The summary of accounts also showed a tally up of the total salary and the expenses received and claimed by each councillor.
In the 15/16 financial year, the figure of total salary and expenses was £1,705,507.11.
In the 16/17 financial year the same tally was £929,803.53 – a drop of £77,704.
Frank McAveety, the leader of the council for Labour, received a gross salary of £37,674.76 and claimed £3,492.08 in expenses in 2015/16.
In 2016/17 he received a gross salary of £27,198.18 and claimed expenses coming to £2,228.86.
Susan Aitken of the SNP, the leader of the opposition, received a salary of £24,027.46 and claimed £1,218.24 in 2015/16.
The following year the SNP councillor received a salary coming to £13,062.44 and claimed £1,130.60 expenses.
A large drop in the total salaries and expenses for Glasgow City Council’s chief officers was also seen. However, there was a rise in the amount of expenses reimbursed to officers.
Compared to £44,487.81 of expenses received in the 15/16 annual summary of accounts, £53,389.99 was received according to the 16/17 accounts.
The figures relating to chief officers’ total salaries and expenses fell from £1,446,715 to £995,049.72. in
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The council has a smaller workforce than 10 years ago and the reduction in our wage bill has played a significant role in mitigating against reductions in the city’s budget.
“Some of the greatest savings have been at management and executive level due to the implementation of corporate transformation projects.
“Councils do not determine the value of election payments, which are recovered from the government.”