GWENT councillors received more than £4.5 million in allowances and expenses last year.
This is a 2.5 percent increase on the previous year when they were paid more than £4.3 million in total for basic allowances, special allowances, care allowances for dependent children and adults, travel and other expenses.
Caerphilly council, the largest local authority in Gwent which covers both the old Islwyn and Rhymney Valley areas, paid out the most in 2009/10 with more than £1.23 million going to its 73 councillors.
Blaenau Gwent council had the lowest figures of the five authorities with a total of £737,373.69.
Monmouthshire council's was the second lowest totalling just over £821,249, closely followed by Torfaen with £824, 623.91. Newport's total came to £892,111.85.
The five Gwent council leaders were the highest paid in each authority ranging from the highest of £48,205 received by Caerphilly’s Cllr Lyndsay Whittle to Blaenau Gwent council leader Cllr Des Hillman who received the lowest at £40,825.
Cabinet members, who in addition to the basic allowance also receive a special allowances to account for their extra responsibilities, earned anything from £30,269 at Caerphilly council to £26,868 in Blaenau Gwent.
Allowances are calculated by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) for Wales and councillors can either accept the amount they recommend or opt not to take it.
This year Torfaen was the only authority to accept a rise, with all others voting to freeze them, but it was left up to individual Torfaen councillors whether or not they decided to take it.
A Caerphilly council spokesman said its total payout reflected the fact that it is one of the largest local authorities in Wales and has 73 members.
A Newport council spokeswoman said councillors rejected a pay rise for 2010/11 and vice chairmen on committees are no longer paid.
She added the slight increase that councillors claimed between 2008/09 and 2009/10 could be attributed to an increase in the special responsibility allowances claimed.
A spokesman for Torfaen council said the IRP makes it clear that the role of the modern councillor should be respected as a professional one that requires a significant amount of time for both council and constituency business.
He said the allowances reflect this and also the extra responsibilities carried out by other members including the leader, executive members, committee chairs, and the mayor.
Monmouthshire council leader Peter Fox added that some of the travel and hotel expenses he claimed were for when he was carrying out duties in his role as the Welsh Local Government Association’s Lifelong Learning and Skills Spokesperson.
A Blaenau Gwent council’s spokesman said the IRP says council leaders and executive members' allowances reflect the levels of responsibility that they hold.
He added the leader turned down an increase when he proposed they should be frozen for the second year running.
See the links below for detailed breakdown of councillors’ expenses.
For Torfaen and Monmouthshire figures, see tomorrow’s Argus.
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