Figures have revealed that East Ayrshire councillors were paid just short of £730,000 for the 2020/21 financial year.

The same figures show that elected members claimed just £2,774.25 in car and van mileage expenses during this time.

Under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment Regulations 2021, there are four levels of remuneration payments for councillors, depending on their responsibilities - council leader, Provost, senior councillor, and councillor.

The basic income for a councillor was £18,566 in 2021/22, rising to £19,571 from April 2022.

Eighteen of the 32 East Ayrshire Councillors received above the basic salary for the year because of their additional responsibilities.

Council leader Douglas Reid's salary was £37,138.01, while his SNP colleague, Ballochmyle councillor Claire Leitch, who took over a cabinet portfolio in June 2021 having previously been depute provost, was paid £26,930.

Councillor Barry Douglas, who was provost from June 24, 2021, received £27,637.10.

Elena Whitham received £21,107.98.

Only three of the area's 32 councillors claimed back car and van mileage expenses: Drew Filson (Independent, Doon Valley) claimed £1,115.55, leader Douglas Reid (SNP, Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse) claimed £105.75, and Jim Roberts, formerly SNP councillor for Ballochmyle, who did not stand for re-election when voters went to the polls on May 5, claimed £1,552.95.

A council spokesperson said: "The expenses incurred by each councillor vary depending on a number of factors including the distance they live from council headquarters, the area covered by their ward and attendance at meetings of external bodies.

"When councillors use their own cars for council business they are also entitled to reasonable reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses, in accordance with the regulations.

"Details of the payments to each councillor are available in council local offices and libraries."

A full list of the payments made can also be found here.