Councillors' claims top £600,000 mark

Shirehall politicians claimed well over £600,000 in "pay" during the past year, new figures have shown.

Top of the Shropshire County Council record of allowances for 2007-08 was leader Malcolm Pate with a total of £37,315. The amount included the basic allowance of £7,384 plus a special responsibility payment of £24,962, and travelling and subsistence allowances of £4,968.

However Councillor Pate's overall claim was £1,251 less than for the previous year.

The second highest amount, £26,086, went to Lib Dem opposition leader, Peter Phillips. This was £725 lower than previously.

Ann Hartley, cabinet member for children and young people's services, and also the council's deputy leader, claimed £26,228.

Her cabinet colleague Barbara Craig, who is responsible for social care services, received £22,437.

Also breaking the £20,000 barrier were the authority's chairman, Brian Gillow, with £21,299 and cabinet member for waste and the economy, John Hurst-Knight, on £20,330.

Alan Mosley, Labour opposition leader, claimed £18,352.

Nine of the 48 members claimed only the basic allowance.

Richard Thomas, the council's democratic services manager, said: "The allowances paid to county councillors are set each year by an independent panel, which considers what is fair and reasonable.

"The panel also takes into account the allowances paid in similar and neighbouring councils to ensure that the amounts paid to Shropshire's councillors are fair and comparable.

"The allowances reflect the amount of time councillors must devote to carrying out their duties, as well as the responsibility that comes with the role.

"The travel allowances, which are worked out using a national scale, reflect the distances councillors have to travel around the county to carry out their work."

By Dave Morris