Torfaen expenses published (From Free Press Series)

Torfaen expenses published

3:50pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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TORFAEN councillors were paid nearly £900,000 last year.

The local authority this week published the allowances and expenses for all its councillors for the last financial year 2008-09 early to deflect the current public scepticism around politicians’ claims.

Pocketing the most this past year was council leader Cllr Bob Wellington who claimed £43,743.62. This includes his basic allowance of £12.796.23 plus a further £27,182.61 for his leader status.

The bulk of the rest of his expenses came in the form of £3,468.94 claimed back for car mileage.

Deputy leader Cllr Lewis Jones claimed a total of £28,228.32 – with only his mileage and a £77 broadband bill topping up his basic pay. He claimed nothing for hotels, trains, parking or food.

While many councillors claimed nothing for broadband, others claimed well over £100 for the year including Cllr Julianna Biggs’ bill for £183.72.

Cllr Jones’ total represents only a fraction more than the likes of executive members Cllrs Mary Barnett, Biggs, Gwyneira Clark, Richard Clark, John Cunningham, Brian Mawby, Marlene Thomas and Cynthia Beynon – all of whom claimed around £24,000.

Of those who only served one month of the financial year, leaving the council in April 2008, Cllr Rosemary Seabourne took home £2,370.76.

The total council bill for the financial year was £815,921.06.

All councillors are entitled to claim a basic allowance of £12,796.23 but posts such as the leader, cabinet members, scrutiny chairs and committee chairs also receive a special responsibility allowances. The mayor and deputy mayor are also paid an allowance.

A council spokesman explained: "Travel expenses are claimed by councillors to cover their costs when travelling away from home or Torfaen premises on council business – for example, if they attend all-Wales seminars or committee meetings.

"Other expenses may be claimed to cover the costs incurred of, for example, refreshments which are necessary as a result of their council business."

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