THE expenses bill of Scottish Borders Council’s 34 elected members fell by over £12,000 last year.

Councillors claimed £88,244 for travel, subsistence and telephone use in 2013/14, compared to £99,324 the previous year.

Despite a small incremental increase in salaries and allowances for those holding executive roles, the total amount pocketed by councillors fell by over £5,000 - from £742,280 to £736,810.

The highest earner was again SBC leader David Parker who trousered £36,132, including a salary of £32,759. Totals received by each councillor, along with special responsibilities, are as follows: Sandy Aitchison (Borders Party, Galashiels & District, education) £26,458.15.

Willie Archibald (SNP, Tweeddale West, convener of licensing board) £22,879.75.

Michelle Ballantyne (Con, Selkirkshire, leader of opposition) £21,709.46.

Stuart Bell (SNP, Tweeddale East, economic development) £25,256.23.

Catriona Bhatia (Lib Dem, Tweeddale West, depute leader health services) £20,221.11.

Jim Brown (SNP, Jedburgh & District, community planning/vice-convener) £25,377.64.

Nathaniel Buckingham (Con, Tweeddale West) £5,949.13.

Joan Campbell (SNP, East Berwickshire) £20,082.12.

Keith Cockburn (Con, Tweeddale West, replaced Mr Buckingham) £8,721.09.

Michael Cook (Ind, East Berwickshire, HR & corporate improvement) £25,780.81.

Alastair Cranston (SNP, Hawick & Denholm) £19,871.73.

Vicky Davidson (Lib Dem, Selkirkshire, culture, sport, youth & communities) £26,258.28.

Gordon Edgar (Ind, Selkirkshire, roads & infrastructure) £24,284.69.

Zandra Elliot (Con, Hawick & Denholm, deceased February, 2014) £15,378.65.

Jim Fullarton (Con, East Berwickshire) £19,309.96.

Graham Garvie (Lib Dem, Tweeddale East, council convener) £28,922.19.

Iain Gillespie (Borders Party, Leaderdale & Melrose) £16,782.46.

John Greenwell (Con, Mid Berwickshire) £18,451.14.

Bill Herd (SNP, Galashiels & District) £17,538.76.

Gavin Logan (Con, Tweeddale East) £18,637.59.

Stuart Marshall (Ind, Hawick & Denholm) £18,193.94.

John Mitchell (SNP, Galashiels & District, depute leader finance) £28,021.94.

Donald Moffat (SNP, Mid Berwickshire, community safety) £26,434.62.

Simon Mountford (Con, Kelso & District) £19,891.19.

Alec Nicol (Lib Dem, Kelso & District) £18,399.66.

David Parker (Ind, Leaderdale & Melrose, leader) £36,132.74.

David Paterson (Ind, Hawick & Hermitage, environmental services) £25,400.59.

Frances Renton (Lib Dem, Mid Berwickshire, social work and housing) £24,953.94.

Sandy Scott (Con, Jedburgh & District) £18,077.60.

Ron Smith (Lib Dem, Hawick & Hermitage, planning & environment) £22,925.73.

Rory Stewart (Ind, Jedburgh & District) £17,361.73.

Jim Torrance (SNP, Leaderdale & Melrose) £17,629.59.

George Turnbull (Con, Hawick & Hermitage) £19,459.05.

Tom Weatherston (Con, Kelso & District) £18,038.70.

Bill White (Ind, Galashiels & District) £18,018.59.