CITY of York councillors claimed £86,000 more in expenses over the past year than during the previous 12 months.

Figures just released show members of the city's local authority clocked up £651,000 in allowances, for the year ending March, 2002, compared with £565,000 in the last financial year.

The top three claimants included former council leader Coun Rod Hills with £28,978, council leader Coun Dave Merrett with £22,142 and Lib Dem leader Steve Galloway with £22,079.

The authority is currently phasing-in an allowance scheme, which was agreed in August 2000, following the initial introduction of an executive-style leadership for the council.

The scheme focuses on the responsibilities of individual councillors and includes a basic allowance as well as special responsibility allowances, where applicable.

Chief executive David Atkinson said: "The payment of allowances to our councillors is an important part of ensuring that this authority attracts people to become councillors and it is consistent with the Government's drive to improve the quality of councillors, ensuring they represent the communities they live in."

Updated: 09:54 Saturday, August 03, 2002