£300,000 bill for our councillors

Figures released by the council show that its current 25 elected representatives were paid a total of £306,538.14 for the council year 2011/12.

Councillor Billy Webb received the highest “gross pay” of £19,117.99. This was because he was Mayor for the period and received a special responsibilty allowance of £6,000 for holding the office.

Councillor Paula Bradley, who is also an MLA, was paid the lowest amount among representatives - £8,748.17.

Each member was paid a basic allowance of £9,738 apart from councillors Paula Bradley and Paul Girvan, who both received £8,656. Their allowance is reduced because they also hold seats in the Assembly.

Furthermore, councillors receive a Special Responsibility Allowance for being Chairs or Vice-Chairs of the council’s various Committees and being either Mayor or Deputy Mayor to help them with the “added civic responsibility”.

They can also claim travel expenses, meal costs, internet rental costs and costs for mobile phone bills.All councillors, except Sinn Fein representative Gerry O’Reilly, made a claim in one or more of these categories during the council year.

Councillor Noreen McClelland claimed the highest amount of travel costs. Her claim came to £1,946.75, while councillor Audrey Ball made the lowest claim of £13.

Only four members claimed for the cost of meals during the period.

Councillor Thomas Hogg claimed £131.09, Jackie Mann claimed £17.09 while councillors, alderman Fraser Agnew and alderman John Blair both claimed £5.50 for the year.

Alderman Paul Girvan claimed the most for internet rental at £280, while his DUP colleague Robert Hill claimed the lowest at £54.

For mobile phone rental for the year alderman John Blair claimed the most at £150.39 and Billy Webb the least at £12.19.

Councillors also received an allowance for sitting on the District Policing Partnership and for participating in the recent recruitment process for its replacement, the Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

Full details on each members’ allowance and claims for the financial year 2011/12, which also includes those councillors who were not re-elected in last year’s election can be found on the council’s website at www.newtownabbey.gov.uk