County councillors were paid more than £1.7million of taxpayers’ money in allowances and expenses in 2007-2008, official figures show.

The overall sum of £1.77million claimed by KCC’s 84 elected members actually fell by about £14,000 compared with the previous year.

About £1million was paid in the form of a £12,000 basic allowance that all 84 councillors are eligible to receive. A further £606,000 was paid out for what are known as special responsibility allowances (SRAs) - a slight increase on the previous year. These are allowances provided for councillors in KCC’s ruling Conservative cabinet and to members who chair committees, as well as opposition group leaders.

Why have your councillors travelled one-and-a-half times round the world - in expenses terms anyway?

Members of the county council’s cabinet are each entitled to £26,649, which they receive in addition to the basic allowance.

Council leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con) received a total of £56,180, a sum that included £41,000 for being leader.

Deputy leader Alex King (Con) received £38,649 while opposition Labour group leader Mike Eddy claimed £38,597, including £20,500 for being leader of his group. Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Trudy Dean received £12,260 but forfeited her special responsibility allowance of £9,020 to share it among her colleagues.

Allowances are recommended by an independent panel but have to be approved by councillors.

Cllr Nick Chard (Con), KCC cabinet member for finance, said the small reduction in the overall sum paid out was good news. "With RPI inflation running at 4.3 per cent, the fact that the amount has gone down is good news."