Large disparities emerge in Mid and East Antrim councillor expenses as allowances rise to £18,916
- Love Ballymena
- 31 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Significant variations have emerged in Mid and East Antrim Borough councillors’ expenses claims for 2024–2025, prompting renewed scrutiny of public spending at a time when elected members have also accepted a rise in their basic allowance.
The publication of the latest travel and subsistence figures shows that 15 councillors claimed nothing at all, while others recorded expenses totalling more than £1,900 for the year.
It comes just weeks after councillors accepted a 3.2% increase to their basic allowance, taking it to £18,916, backdated to 1 April and fixed until 31 March 2026.
The allowance includes a £1,331 element for incidentals and consumables, due to take effect from April 2025. Additional payments remain in place for councillors who hold special responsibilities.
It is important to note that councillors have varying travel distances across the Borough to attend council meetings and facilitate council-related business.
Zero-claim councillors outnumber highest claimants
Among those who claimed £0 in mileage, public transport, and subsistence were councillors from across political groupings, including Andrew Clarke (DUP), David Clarke (TUV), Matthew Armstrong (TUV), Jack Gibson (Alliance), Reuben Glover (DUP), Anna Henry (TUV), Tyler Hoey (DUP), Christopher Jamieson (TUV), and several others.
Some councillors reduced their expense claims significantly compared with last year. Stewart McDonald (TUV) dropped from £146 to £0, while James McKeown (Sinn Féin) went from £252 to £0, and Archie Rae (Sinn Féin) from £179 to £0.
Mid-range and rising claims
Other members recorded moderate increases. For example:
Chelsea Harwood (Alliance) claimed £562, up from zero the previous year.
Matthew Warwick (TUV) received £379, up from £194.
Marc Collins (DUP) rose to £829, an increase of £221.
Angela Smyth (DUP) rose slightly from £404 to £438.
Highest claimants for 2024–2025
At the top of the list were those whose travel and subsistence exceeded £1,000:
Maureen Morrow (DUP): £1,784 (up £1,112 from last year)
Maeve Donnelly (Alliance): £1,950 (up £1,503)
Bréanainn Lyness (Sinn Féin): £1,417 (first recorded year)
Bobby Hadden (Independent): £1,601
Robert Logan (Alliance): £1,369
Aaron Skinner (Alliance): £1,069
In several cases, these figures represent reductions from the previous financial year. For instance, Gerardine Mulvenna (Alliance) saw her claims fall steeply from £3,196 to £532, while Peter Johnson (DUP) dropped from £922 to £421.
Context: Allowances and public spending
The expenses figures sit alongside substantial allowances available to Mid and East Antrim councillors.
In addition to the basic allowance, the borough’s Mayor, UUP councillor Jackson Minford, receives £1,000 per month, while Deputy Mayor Tyler Hoey (DUP) receives £650 per month. Committee chairs receive £500 monthly, vice-chairs £300, Partnership Panel representatives £357 per meeting, and party group leaders £40 per month.
Standard mileage rates remain at 65p per mile for private vehicles and 45p per mile for electric cars, with meal and accommodation allowances also available. A dependant’s carer allowance is paid at £12.21 per hour, or £24.42 for specialist care.
These payments are set under the Local Government (Payments to Councillors) Regulations 2019.
Concerns over use of public money
One Mid and East Antrim councillor, speaking to Love Ballymena, expressed concern about the disparity in claims and the burden on ratepayers. The councillor said:
“As with previous years, there are huge differences in the expenses claims of councillors. Therefore, it is evident that some are showing more consideration for themselves rather than ratepayers, when it comes to expenses claims.
“As the majority of meetings are now held in the Braid Centre, it is alarming that some local councillors have some of the highest claims.
“As rates unfortunately increase year on year, councillors should show public leadership and reduce these expenses. After all, it’s ratepayers money and expenses do affect the rate, which all residents and businesses must pay.”
Public interest and transparency
The new figures are likely to reignite discussion about transparency, accountability, and value for money in local government.
While some councillors demonstrate minimal or no expenditure, others incur substantially higher costs, raising questions over consistency in travel, meeting attendance patterns, and the use of virtual meetings.
With councillor allowances rising and household budgets under strain, ratepayers may be increasingly attentive to how elected representatives manage expenses funded through local taxation.
Full breakdown: Mid and East Antrim Councillor Expenses (2024-2025)
In order of travel & subsistence (expenditure paid to councillor and incurred by council on behalf of councillor) claimed:
Andrew Clarke (DUP) - Coast Road
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
David Clarke (TUV) - Carrick Castle
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Matthew Armstrong (TUV) - Braid
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL £0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Jack Gibson (Alliance) - Ballymena
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Reuben Glover (DUP) - Ballymena
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Anna Henry (TUV) - Bannside
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Tyler Hoey (DUP) - Bannside
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Christopher Jamieson (TUV) - Braid
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Stewart McDonald (TUV) - Bannside
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £146)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£146
James McKeown (Sinn Féin) - Coast Road
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £252)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£252
Lawrie Philpott (DUP) - Ballymena
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Rodney Quigley (Independent) - Ballymena
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Archie Rae (Sinn Féin) - Braid
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £179)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£179
Paul Reid (DUP) - Larne Lough
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Robin Stewart (UUP) - Carrick Castle
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: 0
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Alan Barr (UUP) - Braid
Mileage: £48
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £48
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £48)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: £0
Brian Thompson (UUP) - Ballymena
Mileage: £96
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £96
Lauren Gray (Alliance) - Carrick Castle
Mileage: £246
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £246
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £913)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£667
Ian Friary (Sinn Féin) - Bannside
Mileage: £260
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £260
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £403)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£143
Matthew Warwick (TUV) - Braid
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: £326
Subsistence: £53
TOTAL: £379
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £194)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£185
Peter Johnson (DUP) - Knockagh
Mileage: £421
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £421
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £922)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£501
William McCaughey (DUP) - Braid
Mileage: £431
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £431
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £568)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£137
Billy Ashe (DUP) - Carrick Castle
Mileage: £434
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £434
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £819)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£385
Angela Smyth (DUP) - Coast Road
Mileage: £438
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £438
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £404)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£34
Roy Beggs (UUP) - Larne Lough
Mileage: £468
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £468
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £779)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£311
Gerardine Mulvenna (Alliance) - Coast Road
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: £480
Subsistence: £53
TOTAL: £532
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £3,196)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£2,664
Chelsea Harwood (Alliance) - Braid
Mileage: £562
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £562
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£562
Tom Gordon (DUP) - Bannside
Mileage: £764
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £764
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £737)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£27
Andrew Wilson (UUP) - Knockagh
Mileage: £773
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £773
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £1,034)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£261
Marc Collins (DUP) - Knockagh
Mileage: £829
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £829
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £608)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£221
Bethany Ferris (UUP) - Carrick Castle
Mileage: £864
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £864
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £708)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£156
Jackson Minford (UUP) - Bannside
Mileage: £925
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £925
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £1,062)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£137
Gregg McKeen (DUP) - Larne Lough
Mileage: £974
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £974
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £1,421)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£447
Aaron Skinner (Alliance) - Knockagh
Mileage: £1,069
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £1,069
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £497)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£572
Robert Logan (Alliance) - Larne Lough
Mileage: £1,369
Public Transport: 0
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £1,369
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £1,792)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: -£423
Bréanainn Lyness (Sinn Féin) - Ballymena
Mileage: 0
Public Transport: £768
Subsistence: £649
TOTAL: £1,417
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £0)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£1,417
Bobby Hadden (Independent) - Knockagh
Mileage: £1,134
Public Transport: £371
Subsistence: £96
TOTAL: £1,601
Maureen Morrow (DUP) - Coast Road
Mileage: £1675
Public Transport: £109
Subsistence: 0
TOTAL: £1,784
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £672)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£1,112
Maeve Donnelly (Alliance) - Larne Lough
Mileage: £655
Public Transport: £768
Subsistence: £527
TOTAL: £1,950
(2023-2024 TOTAL: £447)
Change 2023-24 to 2024-25: +£1,503
Full councillor allowances and expenses paid by Mid and East Borough Council can be viewed here: