INVERCLYDE’S councillors claimed more expenses over the last 12 months than they did in the previous year, the Tele can reveal.

The 20 elected members are entitled to be reimbursed for a range of expenses, including car mileage, other travel, accommodation, meals, phone bills and the costs of attending training and conferences.

The 2013-14 total came to £23,237, compared with £22,352 for 2012-13.

Civic leader Provost Robert Moran had the largest expenses bill at £4,589, while Depute Provost/planning board chairman David Wilson received £4,343 and the figure for council leader Stephen McCabe was £2,581.

The fourth highest claim came from Inverclyde’s vice-convener of health and social care and only female councillor, Vaughan Jones, who received £2,135.

Just over half of the total expenses — £11,723 — were accounted for by car and van mileage costs, which are a combination of claims by councillors themselves and costs met directly by the council, such as paying for the costs of the Provost’s car on engagements.

Councillor Jones was the second highest mileage claimant on £1,364. The highest was Councillor Wilson — £1,665 — who represents the council on 14 outside bodies.

Cllr Wilson said: “That’s what you get from a busy councillor. I’m extremely busy and active on behalf of the council, and most of the activities involve travelling.” Councillor Jones said she lives in Kilmacolm and clocks up mileage travelling to and from her ward in Greenock. She added: “I represent the council on a number of outside bodies and have to travel to conferences to keep abreast of health and social care developments.” Meanwhile, the total cost of councillors’ salaries rose from £354,703 to £362,256.

Salaries vary depending on responsibilities.

Councillor McCabe had the highest at £27,754, followed by Provost Moran on £20,518.

l Full list of councillors’ 2013-14 expenses: Ahlfeld, Ronnie - £1,144.65 Brennan, Martin - £544.17 Brooks, Keith - £374.02 Campbell-Sturgess, Math - £198.08 Clocherty, Jim - £760.18 Dorrian, Gerry - £650.19 Grieve, Jim - £160.85 Jones, Vaughan - £2,135.31 Loughran, Terry - £1,299.75 MacLeod, Jim - £1,183.51 McCabe, Stephen - £2,581.11 McColgan, James - £688.48 McCormick, Michael - £480.16 McEleny, Chris - £608.43 McIlwee, Joe - £169.16 Moran, Robert - £4,589.17 Nelson, Innes - £839.02 Rebecchi, Ciano - £364.93 Shepherd, Kenny - £123.10 Wilson, David - £4,343.35