Deirdre's meals expenses highest in council
Highland councillors' expenses more than £1.7m.
HIGHLAND councillors cost £1,737,104.17 in the last year, it has been revealed.The 2014/15 tally for the 80 councillors is up fractionally on the previous financial year’s return of £1,718,921.63.It comprises wages, allowances and expenses for matters such as car mileage and telephone bills.Wages totalled £1,476,977 while expenses came to £260,127.54, according to the annual report.The council’s outgoing leader Drew Hendry received £47,330.79 while East Sutherland and Edderton Labour councillor Deirdre Mackay received £38,750.21 with expenses accounting for £13,778.21 of that amount, which was the highest claim.The average claim for expenses was £3,292.This was largely due to her accommodation bill which totalled £5,541.50 and her mileage costs which amounted to £4,644.90. Her claim for meals was also the highest at £1,294.44. The average claim for food was £103.22.
Deirdre is on holiday this week, but in a statement to the NT, she said: "I hold a senior position within HC, which under the current system, involves disproportionate time spent away from home.
"As you know I am a long time advocate of decentralisation and a return to more local government, one of the clear benefits of which would be more business done locally and considerably less travel.
"What is convenient for Inverness based councillors is not the same for rural councillors."
Depute leader David Alston received £33,846.69, with expenses accounting for £4,864.66 of that amount.
Alasdair Christie, Liberal Democrat councillor for Inverness Ness-side, made no allowance or expenses claims at all and received his basic wage of £24,972.Councillors claimed a total of £170,693.40 for mileage, £5,780.42 for food and £24,366.52 for telephone bills.Margaret Davidson, member for Aird and Loch Ness, ran up the highest phone bill at £685.73.Tain and Easter Ross councillor Jamie Stone came a close second with a telephone bill of £682.46. The average claim for telephone bills was £312.39.
