On Air Greatest Hits Chris Kinley | 6:30pm - 9:00pm

How much do local authorities spend on expenses?

Some take payment for meetings, others don't

Should members of the Island's 22 local authorities claim for attending meetings, or do the role for free?

The public representatives, who don't receive a salary, can claim £7.50 an hour for an evening meeting, and £12.50 for a daytime session.

Douglas councillors claimed more than £40,000 for going to meetings in the last financial year.

In the same period, commissioners in Ramsey collected over £5,000 in attendance allowances, whilst counterparts in Peel took £1,375.

The figures were submitted to auditors this summer, along with other data from all authorities, to prepare accounts for the 18-19 financial year.

Not all commissioners compile reports specifically on allowances, and not all authorities have made their claims public yet. 

Under law, it's impossible for members to take more than £3,600 for evening meetings across the year, and £6,000 for the daytime.

Allowances vary across authorities, as does membership, with town boards often claiming more than their smaller, parish counterparts. 

Some see the payment as compensation for the time and effort they put into the role, others don't claim and see it as 'a public service'.

Leader of Douglas Council David Christian claimed more than £5,000 last year, the most of any councillor. 

He says with a £30 million budget, it's vital he takes the time to 'do the job properly' and argues 'it's only right to be compensated for that':

Deputy chairman of Ramsey Commissioners Luke Parker doesn't claim any attendance allowances, and when first elected was unaware there was payment available.

The chairman of Peel Commissioners Alan Jones, also doesn't claim, but says the choice is up to members:  

More from Isle of Man News