East Ayrshire Council has today published its annual statement of members’ allowances and expenses for the 2022/2023 financial year.
The gross basic salary of Elected Members for the last financial year stood at £757,133.67 - with Leader Douglas Reid collecting the highest salary of £39,085.87.
Today’s statement also shows that the total for Car and Van mileage expenses stood at £6,722.98, with Doon Valley Councillor, Drew Filson, claiming £2893.95 for his brief as Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localities.
Councillor Filson also racked up the highest telephone and ITC (Information Communication Technology) bill of £396.08, expenditure met by the local authority, with the total bill for all members reaching £4409.50.
Depute Leader, Jim McMahon, collected £1059.30 in car and van mileage expenses, while Councillor Reid claimed £149.20, bringing his gross salary and expenses total to just under £40,000, at £39,235.07.
A council spokesperson said: “The expenses incurred by each Councillor vary depending on a number of factors including the distance they live from Council Headquarters, the area covered by their ward and attendance at meetings of external bodies.
“When Councillors use their own cars for Council business they are also entitled to reasonable reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses, in accordance with the Regulations.
“In addition, costs associated with travel to approved conferences may have been met by the Council but require to be recorded as a cost to the relevant Councillor.
“The Council provides transportation for Councillors carrying out approved duties. Transportation is also provided to the Provost and Depute Provost in respect of their Civic Ceremonial duties on behalf of the Council.
“Costs for all such transportation, which include employee costs, are met directly by the Council but require to be published as a cost against the relevant Councillor.
“The element of a Councillor’s telephone bill that relates directly to their duties as a Councillor is also reimbursed. Again, this varies from Councillor to Councillor, depending on the amount of Council business that they conduct by telephone.”
Details of the payments to each councillor are available at Council Headquarters, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU or members of the public can request their own copy of the information by contacting 01563 576138.
Any member of the public who has access to the internet can also view the information in full on the Council’s website at www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk
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