News / Florence’s taxi trips top expenses league
SHETLAND West councillor Florence Grains has once again topped the local authority’s expenses table with her taxi trips from Whiteness to the town hall.
On Wednesday Shetland Islands Council revealed that the islands’ 22 councillors cost the council almost £500,000 in salaries and expenses during the last financial year.
Highest paid was convener Sandy Cluness, who added more than £10,000 in expenses to his £27,000 salary.
Mrs Grains, who chairs the audit and scrutiny committee, claimed £14,373.83 in expenses to bring her a total of £32,129.75, making her the third most expensive councillor behind vice convener Josie Simpson, who costs £34,406.90 with an expenses tab of £14,112.98.
Cheapest members were the two Lerwick councillors living on Bressay. Jonathan Wills claimed £571.88, but bottom of the table came Caroline Miller at £359.39.
The highest mileage claim came from Yell councillor Robert Henderson at £5,038.60, followed by Josie Simpson (Whalsay), Alastair Cooper (Mossbank), Laura Baisley (Yell) and Rick Nickerson (Bigton).
Bill Manson (Sullom), Andrew Hughson (Girlsta), Allison Duncan (Dunrossness) joined Mrs Grains, Mrs Miller and Dr Wills in claiming no mileage at all.
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