Fife Council has published details of allowances and expenses paid during 2007/08 to Fife's 78 current councillors as well as details paid to the former councillors prior to election in May 2007.

Under a new scheme introduced in May 2007, councillors receive an annual salary instead of a basic allowance. The total allowances paid to former councillors and salaries and allowances paid to current councillors during 2007/08 amounted to £1,458,336 - an increase of £329,538. In addition, both current and former councillors receive telephone allowances and the reimbursement of the costs of travel expenses incurred when on official Council business.

Receipted expenses reimbursed to councillors do not include the cost of Council provided transport, and annual salary, basic allowance and responsibility allowances paid are subject to tax and National Insurance.

Council cars were available for the use of all councillors for official journeys. Staff were employed to drive these vehicles but this is only one of their main duties. The annual cost of providing the cars was £20,431. This facility shall be restricted to the Provost with effect from April 2008.

Councillors allowances & expenses 2007/08