COUNTY councillors representing north Kent have cost the taxpayer almost £190,000 in the past year.

The 11 members of Kent County Council who speak for constituents in wards in Gravesham and Dartford racked up a combined bill of about £183,000 from April 1, 2008, to March 31 this year.

Most of their total bill is made up of a £12,000 basic allowance for each county councillor, plus a "special responsibility allowance" for those heading up committees or having leadership roles.

The rest of the total is made up of mileage claims, food and accommodation expenses, fares and "other authorised payments".

The two most expensive councillors in north Kent cost £46,000 between them.

Cllr Ann Allen, KCC representative for Wilmington, had total allowances of £24,000 - including £9,000 for her membership of committees, including full council. Her mileage claim was £3,000.

Cllr Mike Snelling, KCC member for Gravesham Rural ward, cost £22,100 - including a £9,000 special responsibility allowance for work on other committees alongside full council. His mileage claim was £1,100. Cllr Snelling is also leader of Gravesham council - but none of these claims related to this role.

KCC leader Paul Carter was the authority’s most expensive councillor, costing £56,000 - £41,000 in his special responsibility allowance.

Total costs for KCC’s 84 councillors came to a fraction under £1.8 million.

KCC, in an attempt to be transparent over its expenditure, decided to release details of expenses earlier than usual because of the ensuing furore over MPs' claims.