12:10pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Rachel Masker
COUNCILLORS across Hampshire have claimed more than £7m in allowances and expenses over the last year.
The total amount paid out by Hampshire County Council, Southampton and Portsmouth city councils and 11 district councils was £7.2m, according to figures compiled by anti-tax group IsItFair.
Hampshire County Council paid £1.3m to 78 county councillors plus £110,000 in expenses.
Most councillors who claim the largest amounts are “double hatters” sitting on county and district councils while in some cases holding jobs as well.
As each authority has its own system of pay and expenses, they can claim multiple allowances.
Three county councillors pocketed more than £50,000 in various allowances and expenses.
Topping the list was Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith House, a full-time politician, who claimed £55,961 as leader of the opposition on the county council, for being leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, a member of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority and SEEDA, the regional development agency.
Tory councillor Keith Chapman, 67, a retired manager, claimed £54,549 for his roles at the county council, as a former Cabinet member of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
The current system of allowances was first introduced in 1998 by Labour.
All councillors now get a basic allowance. An independent panel sets the amount in each authority. Winchester paid £5,833, Eastleigh £5,701, the New Forest £5,316 and Fareham £6,465.
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