Sedgemoor councillors' allowances revealed (From This is The West Country)

Sedgemoor councillors' allowances revealed

7:10pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Somerset

SEDGEMOOR District Councillors claimed slightly less in expenses and allowances this year than last year, new accounts show.

The overall expenses bill for 2011/12 was £329,297.55, down from £340,201.69 in 2010/11.

There were payouts to 68 councillors, including smaller amounts to councillors who either lost their seats or did not contest them in the district elections last May.

Most councillors received a basic allowance of £4,176.96, while some holding important positions within the authority received a Special Responsibility Allowance, and others claimed travel expenses.

The councillors in the Burnham and Highbridge area who received the highest allowances were Brent Knoll ward member Bob Filmer, chairman of the authority's development committee, who received an SRA of £4,176.96 on top of his basic allowance, and travel expenses of £1,283.95; and Wedmore ward member Richard Burden, environment portfolio holder, who received an SRA of £5457.10 and travel expenses of £745.20.

Duncan McGinty, council leader, received the most in allowances and expenses, totalling £24,659.76.