More than £1.8 million was paid out in allowances to Bradford’s 90 councillors last year, an increase of nearly three per cent on the previous year.

Members are entitled to claim a basic “wage” which recognises the time commitment the job entails. And they can make limited claims for travel, accommodation and meals while on Council business.

In addition, some councillors – such as group leaders and those on the decision-making executive – receive a special responsibility allowance.

A statement of earnings is published annually, which shows that from April 2010 to March 2011, a total of £1,823,358 was claimed, with the basic amount for every councillor being £13,042.

During this period there were 35 councillors who claimed more than £20,000 each. Of these, ten took home more than £30,000, and two councillors claimed more than £40,000.

The highest earner was Councillor Ian Greenwood (Lab, Little Horton), who as leader of the Council was paid a total of £49,414. This included a special responsibility allowance of £34,307. The second-highest was Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ilkley), who as leader of the Tory group for a year from May 2010, claimed a total of £42,107.

Other top earners were: executive member for social care, Councillor Amir Hussain (Lab, Toller) – £36,926; executive member for environment and sport, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq (Lab, Bradford Moor) – £36,845; deputy leader of the Council and executive member for safer and stronger communities, Councillor Imran Hussain (Lab, Toller) – £36,845; executive member for children and young people, Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) – £35,331; former executive member for the change programme, housing and planning, Councillor Paul Flowers (Lab, Great Horton) – £35,091; executive member for regeneration, economy and sustainability, Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey) – £34,526; the former chairman of the children’s services scrutiny committee, Councillor Adrian Naylor – £34,486 (Con, Craven); Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) – £31,603 and deputy leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Glen Miller (Con, Worth Valley) – £31,345.

A total of £28,007 was claimed in mileage, £2,304 for trains, £734 for taxis, £550 for hotels, £188 for subsistence, and £177 for parking.