Telford & Wrekin councillors' expenses published

Councillors sitting on Telford & Wrekin Council received just under £650,000 in allowances and expenses in the last 12 months, new figures reveal.

The authority has published the figures on its website showing how much each of its 54 councillors received. They are the flat rate payments made to all councillors for the roles they perform as elected members.

All councillors receive a basic allowance and some councillors receive further allowance payments for special responsibilities, such as performing a cabinet or scrutiny role or that of another post, such as the Mayor.

In addition to allowances, councillors claimed a total of £12,008 in expenses between them.

The figures also show that 21 co-optees who support the work of the council but are not elected members received a total of just under £14,000 in allowances.

The most money went to council leader Councillor Andrew Eade who received £31,674 for his role. He claimed no out-of-pocket expenses, however.

Allowances

Next in line was deputy leader Councillor Jacqueline Seymour who was paid £23,794 in allowances and claimed an additional £!,528 in expenses on top.

Other notable payments went to Councillor Stephen Bentley (£19,697 allowances, £1,212 expenses), Councillor Eric Carter (£19,696 allowances, ££1,845 expenses) and Councillor Adrian Lawrence (£19,697 allowances, £895 expenses), all three being members of the council's ruling cabinet.

Fellow cabinet members Stephen Burrell and Miles Hosken were also paid £19,697 in allowances but neither claimed any expenses.

Councillor Eade said: "It's very important that the public understands what allowances councillors receive and that we are very open and transparent about this.

"All councillors have a responsibility to work hard in their wards and a significant number have responsibilities over and above this and for many it can be pretty much a full time job.

"However, in these difficult times the council has commissioned an independent review of allowances paid to councillors and co-optees to ensure that the residents of Telford & Wrekin are receiving value for money from the people who represent them."

By Simon Hardy