The cost of Angus councillors has marginally dropped in the past year.
In a report going before Thursday afternoon’s meeting of the full council in Forfar, an allowances and expenses outlay of just under £615,000 will be revealed. It compares to a figure of just more than £630,000 in the year to April 2012.
The report from strategic director of resources Mark Armstrong is broken into two parts, reflecting the May 2012 local elections which brought a changeover in the administration of the authority with a return to SNP rule. From April 1 to May 3 last year, the total remuneration and expenses figure was £55,280.
Former Provost Ruth Leslie Melville was the highest claimant in that spell with a payment of £3,831, with former Alliance leader Bob Myles at £3,049 the only other elected member above the £3,000 mark.
The council’s new complexion is borne out by claims since May 3, with Kirriemuir and Dean member Iain Gaul, leader of the authority, receiving a total of £32,816 in the period to the end of March.
Provost Helen Oswald also topped the £30,000 threshold by £483. At £14,766, Arbroath West and Letham Councillor David Lumgair received the smallest payment, claiming nothing other than his basic remuneration entitlement.
He was the only elected member not to claim any other expenses, such as mileage, subsistence or telephone costs.
The report also highlights the extent of training undertaken by elected members since last year’s election.
It adds: “For the new term of office, since May 4 2012, a total of 562 hours of training and development were undertaken by members. All members of the council participated in training of different types.
“This included formal training courses, conferences, seminars, distance learning, vocational education, briefings, workshops and e-learning packages.
“Topics covered in training sessions included governance and effective scrutiny, treasury management, procurement, human rights, welfare reform, lone working and violence and aggression.
“Personal Development Plans were also updated where necessary and individual members continue to attend relevant training courses and briefings in support of these as appropriate.”