Salaries and expenses for Shetland Islands Council members cost the taxpayer just shy of half a million pounds in the last financial year, according to figures published by the local authority.
The 22 SIC members were paid £402,000 in nationally-set salaries which ranged from the basic councillor’s rate of £16,726 to council leader Gary Robinson’s £27,878. A total of £93,616 was claimed in expenses for mileage, travel and various other costs incurred on council business.
The total for members’ salaries and expenses has shown an increase of around 0.5 per cent on the previous financial year, while the overall figure for expenses has fallen by 1.9 per cent.
Robinson claimed the highest amount, £18,402, in expenses – reflecting the amount of travel to the UK mainland and Brussels for meetings in his role as the SIC’s political leader.
Council convener Malcolm Bell claimed a total of £10,525 – again reflecting the amount of travel required for the role of representing Shetland at various events and meetings outwith the islands.
The third-highest expenses claim came from North Mainland councillor Drew Ratter, who claimed £8,763.
The lowest claim came from harbour board chairwoman Andrea Manson, who filed receipts worth just £21.99 in 2016/17.
Bell said: “Members are well aware of the requirement to keep costs to a minimum, whether the travel takes place within or outside Shetland.
“We are always mindful of striking a balance between, on the one hand, adequately representing our ward and/or Shetland interests and, on the other, the costs incurred in doing so.
“Members try as far as possible to conduct business remotely by audio or videoconference, but it will be necessary to attend some meetings in person.
“Shetland is a remote island community and as we are all too well aware, travel is expensive. The alternative, however, is that Shetland’s interests would not be properly represented or articulated alongside other communities and that, in my view, would be unacceptable.”