EXPENSES claimed by councillors in Argyll and Bute decreased by over 15 per cent in the 2025/26 financial year, figures have revealed.
Yet a Cowal ward councillor had the second highest expenses on the list.
The newly published figures show that councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat) claimed 3,201, most of which was for mileage. The other two Cowal ward councillors, Gordon Blair (SNP) claimed 281 and Yvonne McNeilly (Conservative) claimed no expenses.
Councillor Dougie McFadzean (SNP, Kintyre and the Islands) was paid the most during 2025/26 at 5,286. He lives on Islay, and the vast majority of his claims were for travel expenses and overnight accommodation.
The council’s annual spreadsheet detailing expenses and salaries has shown that a total of 35,429 was claimed between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
A total of 4,772 of that figure was telephone and ICT expenses which are met directly by the council, meaning 30,667 in other expenses was paid.
This compares to 41,775 which was paid during the previous 12 months, and 60,241 for the 12 months before that.
Twelve councillors, one third of the total number elected in Argyll and Bute, claimed no expenses at all, excluding telephone and ICT expenses.
In a statement accompanying the expense details, which also included details of councillor salaries for the year, executive director Douglas Hendry said: “The amounts shown are not the amounts actually received by councillors.
“Firstly, the remuneration payments shown are gross figures which are then subject to tax and national insurance deductions.
“Secondly, other expense payments relate solely to the reimbursement of actual expenditure incurred by the councillor and are all backed up with receipts.
“Thirdly, the council decided that it would be more effective, where necessary, to provide a broadband connection for councillors for council business-related communication and telephone calls.
“No reimbursement has been made to councillors in respect of such costs — these are paid for directly by the council on behalf of councillors. These are included in the table reflecting revised guidance issued on such costs.”
