COUNCILLORS in Slough claimed almost half a million pounds in allowances last year.

Slough Borough Council’s members claimed a total of £454,409.01 for 2015/2016.

A total of £310,243.59 was paid out in basic allowances, £136,796.37 went to councillors for their speciality responsibility allowances and £1,743.97 was claimed for travel expenses.

Cllr Rob Anderson, the council’s former leader, was paid the highest in allowances with a total of £26,778.34 for 2015/2016 and the council’s former deputy leader James Swindlehurst claimed a total of £20,667 for the year.

In comparison, £663,193.53 was paid to councillors at the Royal Borough in the last financial year.

In Windsor and Maidenhead, no claims were made for the dependent carer’s allowance, a total of £5,682.10 was claimed for mileage costs and public transport expenses and only six councillors made panel claims totalling £378.90. Some £426,678.02 was paid out in basic allowances., £223,985.57 was claimed for special responsibility allowance and £6,468.94 went to IT costs.

Slough’s current leader, Cllr Sohail Munawar, who was appointed leader in June, claimed £17,808.96 for the year and the new deputy leader Cllr Sabia Hussain was paid £18,810.65, claiming the most for travel expenses with a claim of £1,001.69.