Wyndham councillors have claimed more than $42,000 in expenses over 12 months.
Eighteen past and present councillors were reimbursed $42,402 in total for expenses for the 2016-17 financial year.
The reimbursement covered internet and phone charges, IT equipment, attending functions, childcare, memberships, stationery, training, attending conferences, mileage, Cabcharges, parking and travel.
Overall, the councillors and former councillors spent more than $19,000 on internet and phone charges, $8829 on IT equipment and $6413 on training and conferences.
The councillor who claimed the most in expenses individually was the mayor, Henry Barlow, at $5581. His claim included $1856 for travel, $1279 for training, $1163 for internet and phone costs, $800 for IT equipment and $639 for functions and events.
Harrison ward councillor Aaron An, who was elected to the council in October last year, has claimed $5041 in expenses. This included $2045 for training and conferences, $1163 for internet and phone costs, $800 in IT equipment, $789 in travel and $233 in mileage, Cabcharges and parking.
The council’s corporate affairs manager Emily Keogh said training and professional development for councillors was encouraged under the Councillor Code of Conduct.
Ms Keogh said that during the 2016-17 financial year, Cr An attended three conferences and Cr Barlow attended one conference and one training session.
“Councillors are offered conferences and training to ensure they have the skills to adequately govern at one of the largest and most complex local government organisations in Victoria,” she said.
The lowest-spending Wyndham councillors in the past financial year were Michele Wharrie ($483) and Marie Brittan ($580), who were not re-elected at the 2016 Victorian municipal elections.
This means they only claimed for expenses between July to October last year.
Out of the councillors who are in office, the lowest-spending were Cr Josh Gilligan ($2154) and Cr Tony Hooper ($2175).
