Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 11:28am

Council's expenses ruling

Councillors have agreed to publish their expenses claims more frequently in the wake of public concern over claw backs.

Claims made in the six month period from 1st April to 30th September 2009 will be published by 31st October 2009.

Cllr Elizabeth Riches, Depute Leader of Fife Council, said, 'Never has there been a greater need for openness and transparency over expenses than in the current climate.

'Local people are very concerned about the money claimed by politicians so we as local councillors have a duty to them to be as open and as transparent as possible about what we are claiming.

'Residents have every right to know what we claim for whilst we carry out our public duties on their behalf. I am very pleased that every councillor in Fife has supported our motion to increase both the frequency of publication of members" expenses and the detail published.'

Expenses claims for the twelve months from April 2008 were released by Fife Council last month.

Elected members are now paid an annual wage of £15,785, but are still entitled to claim cash for travelling to and from work.

The mileage rate was recently reduced by almost 10 pence per mile from 49.3 pence to 40 pence.

The biggest claimant across Cowdenbeath area"s three wards was Ian Chisholm (SNP), who clawed back £1,095.

The area"s two other Nationalist councillors, husband and wife, Ann and Alistair Bain, pulled in £828 and £910 respectively.

Chairman of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, Willie Clarke (Independent), who receives and annual salary of £21,706 to reflect additional responsibility, claimed travelling expenses totalling £987.

Councillor Margot Doig (Labour) clawed back just over £400 in travelling expenses while Councillor John Simpson (Labour) claimed £206.

Councillors Mark Hood (Labour) and Alex Maxwell (Indepedent), along with leader of the opposition, Councillor Alex Rowley (Labour), claimed nothing.

Council leader Peter Grant (SNP) claimed more than £2000.