New figures reveal what West Lothian's councillors are paid

New details have been released that reveals how much West Lothian’s councillors were paid as an annual salary, along with allowances and expenses.

Papers from last week’s Council Executive meeting detailed the payments from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

The report says that while the levels of salary are fixed depending on the designation of each councillor, the amounts of travel, subsistence and expenses claimed vary between each one, depending on their activities and duties throughout the year.

The analysis includes “other expenses” which must be disclosed under the scheme. This relates to receipted expenditure incurred by the provost or depute provost on civic duties and the costs of conferences and seminars which are paid for directly by the council.

Expense payments are broken down into car and van mileage expenses, cost of using a pool car, other travel, subsistence expenses, accommodation subsistence expenses, meals, telephone and information communication technology (IVT) expenses, other allowances and expenses, cost of training, conferences and seminars.

Council leader, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, takes homes the largest salary as leader of the council and is paid £35,712 while Provost Tom Kerr is paid £26,784.96 and receives a £2899 civic head expenses payment.

Councillors are paid a basic salary of between £17,853 while senior councillors are paid £26,039, depending on their role.

In terms of expense claims among councillors without senior roles, David Tait was paid the highest amount at £3534 while Frank Anderson claimed £2209.

Among those who do have additional responsibilities are Andrew McGuire, who sits on the Lothian Joint Valuation Board, who claimed £3439 and George Paul, a senior councillor who is also executive councillor, services for the community, who claimed £2049 in expenses.

Provost Tom Kerr received £3768 in expenses, but this includes a payment of £2899 Civic head expenses.

Councillors Willie Boyle, Pauline Clark, Jim Dickson, Angela Doran Thomson, Bruce Fairbarin, Peter Heggie, Charles Kennedy, Sarah King, Maria Macauley, John McGinty, Dominic McGuire, Andrew Miller and the late Depute Provost Dave King did not make any expenses claims while David Dodds claimed 15 pence, Moira Shemilt claimed 66 pence and Diane Calder claimed £4.32.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Levels of Elected Members remuneration, allowances and expenses are published annually and are available for members of the public to view.”

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