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.
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