THE total wage and expenses bill of Scottish Borders Council’s 34 elected members rose by nearly £5,000 in the 12 months to March 31.

A total of £757,172 was paid to the councillors, compared to £752,385 in 2013/14.

A 1% salary hike on April 1, 2014 saw total remuneration costs increase by over £11,000 – from £648,566 to £659,844.

Backbench councillors received an annual salary of £16,560 – up from £16,396.

Those elected members who hold executive positions with special departmental responsibilities saw their wage rates similarly enhanced, including leader and top earner David Parker who received a total of £36,337, including a salary of £33,123 (up from £32,759).

While the wage bill increased, claims for travel expenses fell over the year from £62,370 to £54,835, although a report to councillors tomorrow (Thursday) cautions that this amount, based on actual journeys, was “expected to fluctuate” year on year because of the timing of claims.

Claims for telephone and IT expenses, however, rose from £35,885 to £37,067.

The cost of sending councillors to conferences and training courses topped £5,133 – down from £7,441 the previous year.

Meanwhile, the council has admitted the annual 2014/15 report on allowances and expenses should have been published by June 1 in accordance with Scottish Government legislation.

“Publication…has been delayed as the information had not been finalised, but it is now complete and is being taken to the full council meeting closest to the June 1 deadline,” said the spokesperson. “There is no penalty for late publication which was, in part, due to the General Election.” Totals received by each councillor were as follows (2013/14 payments in brackets): Sandy Aitchison (Borders Party, Galashiels & District, education) £27,120.97 (£26,458.15).

Willie Archibald (SNP, Tweeddale West, convener of licensing board) £23.247.08 (£22,879.75).

Michelle Ballantyne (Con, Selkirkshire, leader of opposition) £22.881.40 (£21,709.46).

Stuart Bell (SNP, Tweeddale East, economic development) £25,382.97 (£25,256.23).

Catriona Bhatia (Lib Dem, Tweeddale West, depute leader health services) £20,794.75 (£20,221.11).

Jim Brown (SNP, Jedburgh & District, community planning/vice-convener) £25,610.25 (£25,377.64).

Joan Campbell (SNP, East Berwickshire) £20,105.59 (£20,082.12).

Keith Cockburn (Con, Tweeddale West, elected October 2013) £18,904.80 (£8,721.09).

Michael Cook (Ind, East Berwickshire, HR & corporate improvement) £26,584.37 (£25,780.81).

Alastair Cranston (SNP, Hawick & Denholm) £18,340.37 (£19,871.73).

Vicky Davidson (Lib Dem, Selkirkshire, culture, sport, youth & communities) £24,913.77 (£26,258.28) Gordon Edgar (Ind, Selkirkshire, roads & infrastructure) £24,812.11 (£24,284.69).

Jim Fullarton (Con, East Berwickshire) £19,962.08 (£19,309.96).

Graham Garvie (Lib Dem, Tweeddale East, council convener) £28,864.91 (£28,922.19).

Iain Gillespie (Borders Party, Leaderdale & Melrose) £19,318.60 (£16,782.46).

John Greenwell (Con, Mid Berwickshire) £18,902.85 (£18,451.14).

Bill Herd (SNP, Galashiels & District) £18,374.94 (£17,538.76).

Gavin Logan (Con, Tweeddale East) £18,792.63 (£18,637.59).

Stuart Marshall (Ind, Hawick & Denholm) £18,226.56 (£18,193.94).

Watson McAteer (Ind, Hawick & Denholm, elected May 2014) £14,966.37.

John Mitchell (SNP, Galashiels & District, depute leader finance) £29,218.01 (£28,021.94).

Donald Moffat (SNP, Mid Berwickshire, community safety) £27,203,36 (£26,434.62).

Simon Mountford (Con, Kelso & District) £20,313.96 (£19,891.19).

Alec Nicol (Lib Dem, Kelso & District) £18,074.83 (£18,399.66).

David Parker (Ind, Leaderdale & Melrose, leader) £36,337.32 (£36,132.74).

David Paterson (Ind, Hawick & Hermitage, environmental services) £26,307.01 (£25,400.59).

Frances Renton (Lib Dem, Mid Berwickshire, social work and housing) £27,859.78 (£24,953.94).

Sandy Scott (Con, Jedburgh & District) £18,618.35 (£18,077.60).

Ron Smith (Lib Dem, Hawick & Hermitage, planning & environment) £25,280.05 (£22,925.73).

Rory Stewart (Ind, Jedburgh & District) £17,377.23 (£17,361.73).

Jim Torrance (SNP, Leaderdale & Melrose) £17,707.40 (£17,629.59).

George Turnbull (Con, Hawick & Hermitage) £20,077.05 (£19,459.05).

Tom Weatherston (Con, Kelso & District) £18,533.58 (£18,038.70).

Bill White (Ind, Galashiels & District) £18,157.45 (£18,018.59).