MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council paid out more than £800,000 to councillors in allowances in the last year.

The total amount paid out, £816,668.74 has reduced by over £4,500 when compared to last year's (2009-10) figures.

Members' salaries are paid at basic and senior rates around £13,000 while a special responsibility allowance is paid to members who hold particular responsibilities beyond their duties as a ward member such as a cabinet member and those who sit on committees.

Members are also entitled to claim expenses for things including travel, care for dependent children and adults, food and overnight stays when working outside their authority area.

The majority of members have not accepted any increase in their basic or special responsibility allowances since December 2008, this is despite a recommendation by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in 2010 that the maximum payable for each should rise.

The council accepted this recommendation, but most Members chose not to accept the new allowance rate.

Monmouthshire County Council leader, Councillor Peter Fox said, "Being a councillor requires a huge amount of time. That obviously impacts on your ability to hold a full time job. So it's only right that members receive an annual allowance, which is now recognised as a basic salary, to reflect that. I'm pleased to see that most of our members claimed less than the IRP recommended maximum. And that includes members of all parties who claimed special responsibility allowances."

The highest paid councillor was council leader Peter Fox who received a total of £44,233.32 while cabinet member Councillor Elizabeth Hacket Pain claimed the most travel expenses of £4,132.

Bryn-y-Cwm Councillors.

Councillor Douglas Edwards, basic allowance £13,029.96, travel allowance £919.20, expenditure reimbursed £108.38, total £14,057.54

Councillor Jane Fousler, basic allowance £13,010.64, chair allowance, £901.74, total £13,912.38.

Councillor James George, basic allowance £13,029.96, travel allowance £703.20, total £13733.16.

Councillor Roger Harris, basic allowance £13,018.08, special responsibility allowance £1,545.47, travel allowance £1,828, total £16,391.55.

Councillor Brian Hood, basic allowance £13,011.12, vice chair allowance £3,203.01, special responsibility allowance, £1,599.67, travel allowance £2,583.60, expenditure reimbursed £1480.67, total £21,878.07.

Councillor Giles Howard, basic allowance, £13,029.96 special responsibility allowance £13,839, travel allowance £1,989.60, expenditure reimbursed £120.20, total £28,978.76.

Councillor Simon Howarth, basic allowance £13,868.40, travel allowance £1,726.40, total £15,594.80.

Councillor Andrew James, basic allowance £12,744.24, travel allowance £1,438.80, expenditure reimbursed £33.98, total £14,217.02.

Councillor Bryan Jones, basic allowance, £13,029.96, special responsibility allowance £13,839, travel allowance £657.20, expenditure reimbursed £76.20, total £27602.36.

Councillor Paul Jordan, basic allowance £13,009.92, special responsibility allowance, £8,304, travel allowance £516, total £21,829.92.

Councillor Maureen Powell, basic allowance £13,029.96, travel allowance £1,090.80, total £14,120.75.

Councillor John Prosser, basic allowance £13,011.12, travel allowance £714.40, total £13725.52.

Councillor Eric Saxon, basic allowance £13,029.96, special responsibility allowance £1,599.67, total £14,629.63.

Councillor Christine Walby, basic allowance £13,029.96, special responsibility allowance £6,712.40, travel allowance £442.40, total £20,184.76.