THE total amount of allowances paid out by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has risen by more than £12,000.

Overall, £619,313.51 was paid out in allowances to Basingstoke and Deane borough councillors or members of a committee or sub-committee in the 2018/19 financial year, an increase on £607,158.89 in 2017/18.

The former leader of the council, Councillor Clive Sanders, topped the list with the biggest allowance figure of £32,355.75.

Two other cabinet members, Cllrs John Izett and Terri Reid, were given more than £20,000 in allowances.

Cllr Izett received £21,019.39 and Cllr Reid received £20,966.50.

Councillors receive a basic rate of £7,014, plus special responsibility allowance is given to those who sit in positions of responsibility, such as on the authority’s cabinet and heads of committees or party group leaders, while travel and subsistence allowances can also be claimed.

There were 17 councillors who claimed for travelling and subsistence allowances, and only three received more than £1,000- Cllrs Izett, Sanders and Cllr Donald Sherlock.

Cllr Sanders also received the largest amount in special responsibility allowance, due to his leadership of the council for that financial year.

Cllr Izett, who received the second highest amount of the councillors from Basingstoke and Deane, said: “As a member of the senior management board, and someone who has to attend a lot of meetings, it will be higher.

“I represent Highclere, [Burghclere and St Mary Bourne] which is on the edge of the wards, and spend a lot of time travelling backwards and forwards.”

He added: “As a public servant, it is important to be completely transparent about this.”

The overall rise of just over £12,000 is roughly in keeping with the rate of inflation, which at 2.1 per cent would see an increase of £12,448.20.

The borough council’s executive director of finance and resources, Sue Cuerden, said: “In line with The Local Authorities Members’ Allowance Regulations 2013, the council is required to make a members’ allowances scheme each year which is approved by council. The council must also publish the total sum paid to each councillor each year.

“In attending meetings or events at the council or on behalf of the council they are entitled to cover their expenses including travel and these expenses are also published.”