OIC confirms £34k globetrotting bill

June 14, 2024 at 3:23 pm

An international visit was made last month by OIC leader, Councillor Heather Woodbridge and convener, Councillor Graham Bevan, to Vestland in Norway — with which Orkney has a twinning agreement. Pictured, from the left: Vestland county mayor Jon Askeland with Councillor Bevan. (Silje Alvsaker/Vestland County Council)

The cost of salaries and expense claims made by, or on behalf of, islands’ councillors rose by 5.84 per cent last year, to an annual total of £509,448.77

This includes part of a £34,600 international travel bill racked up by councillors and officials during 2023/24.

The figures have been released, this week, by Orkney Islands Council, which reports the salaries and expenses of councillors annually.

Explaining that councillors’ personal expenses fluctuate from year to year, the authority has stood by its increased spending on international travel, which it calls an opportunity for “exchange of knowledge and experiences” with other nations.

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