Payments to councillors

Councillors receive an annual salary and can claim money to cover certain expenses. All payments are subject to Income Tax and National Insurance.

Salaries and expenses

There are 4 levels of salary paid to councillors depending on their role, the figures are set by the Scottish Government in the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 (as amended). Current levels of pay are:

Leader - £40,205
Civic Head - £30,154
Senior Councillors - £25,126.50
Councillors - £20,099

Councillors can also claim expenses to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and meals that are necessary to undertake official duties.

Telephones and computers

We provide councillors with mobile phones and computer equipment to carry out their council business. We pay the cost directly but the figures are included in the information we publish about each councillor's expenses.

Download information

We're required to publish a record of the payments made to councillors each year. View expenses for the last three years:

We also publish copies of any claim forms submitted for expenses each month. View claims from the last six months:

You can ask to see our payment and claim records (and older documents) in person by writing to Legal and Regulatory, Council Offices, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD.

Further information

Detailed guidance on our arrangements is available to download:

View Scheme for administration of member remuneration expensesand travelling

Council and democracy

Page last updated: 16/12/2024

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