Councillors received total of £485,025 during last financial year

Shetland’s 22 councillors claimed just under half a million pounds in salaries and expenses during the last financial year, it was revealed today.

The top earners were convener Sandy Cluness with £36,288 and vice-convener Josie Simpson with £33,580, including their salaries of £27,057 and £20,293 respectively, while the various chairmen and women accrued the next highest totals.

Councillor Florence Grains, chairwoman of the audit and scrutiny committee, received £31,988. A large proportion of her total expenses claim of £14,232 was made up by taxi fares as she is the only non-driver on the council.

Former services committee chairman Gussie Angus, who stepped down from that role in February, received £27,440, while his replacement Betty Fullerton got £22,012.

Ferries board chairman Robert Henderson received £26,373, infrastructure committee chairwoman Iris Hawkins £26,111, planning board chairman Frank Robertson £23,317, harbour board chairman Alistair Cooper £21,112, college board chairman Andrew Hughson £20,276 and licensing board chairman Cecil Smith £18,167.

Other councillors’ figures were: Rick Nickerson £18,693; Laura Baisley £19,911; Allan Wishart £17,293; Addie Doull £17,738; Jim Henry £17,383; Gary Robinson £18,726; Allison Duncan £18,221; Jim Budge £18,880; Bill Manson £16,815; Jonathan Wills £17,481; and Caroline Miller £17,211.
For a full breakdown see The Shetland Times on Friday.