Technology could lead to savings in money

Western Isles council chiefs will look into ways of saving money by using technology after the salaries and expenses of elected members went up this year.

Figures showed the £672,418 total includes £572,310 in wages and £100,108 in expenses.

It marks a £5,000 rise on last year.

As expected, much of the expenses total is taken up by travel costs for the island councillors.

Mileage expenses charged by 14 of the 31 members made up £20,405 of the total, with other travel expenses accounting for £49,717.

Subsistence expenses cost the taxpayer £21,691, while £5,735 was reimbursed for telephone and IT costs.

Angus Morrison, chairman of the audit and scrutiny committee, said the future use of more online meetings to cut costs and travel time is something that will be looked at after lockdown.

“There are pockets not so well served by broadband,” he said.

“But it definitely can be done and it’s a way of looking at saving travel costs and time, as those travelling from the southern islands can lose a day travelling back and forth.”

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar convener Norman A Macdonald was paid the most, with his £21,840 salary supplemented by £14,339 in expenses.

His total of £36,179 was down £3,361 on last year’s £39,540.60.

Mr Macdonald’s £4,685.50 mileage charges and £7,777 in other travel expenses were the highest paid by the council this year.

The only other councillor to be reimbursed more than £10,000 in expenses was Uisdean Robertson, chairman of the council’s transportation and infrastructure committee.

His salary of £19,655 was topped up with £10,895 expenses, although his combined salary and expenses dropped £2,500 this year to £30,550.

Council leader Roddie Mackay did not charge any mileage or phone/IT expenses.

His salary and expenses total of £37,516 was down from £38,134 last year.