AS the row over MPs' expenses raged last week, Honiton Town Council published its list of councillors' claims and proved it is doing everything it can to minimise costs to the public purse.

AS the row over MPs' expenses raged last week, Honiton Town Council published its list of councillors' claims - and proved it is doing everything it can to minimise costs to the public purse.Councillors are entitled to claim an annual allowance of �283, which is not being increased this year.Two councillors, Peter Corke and John Taylor, declined to accept the allowance, which is used by councillors to offset costs incurred while carrying out council business. Items covered include the cost of postage, telephone calls and travel.The allowance is seven per cent of what district councillors can claim from the Knowle.The Mayor receives �700 a year, instead of an allowance to cover expenses incurred by the mayoral party when fulfilling civic duties.In the last financial year, Honiton town councillors claimed a total of �63.35 in expenses for travelling to training courses outside the Honiton area. The cost of the training amounted to �148.The town clerk, Lyn Hargood, is paid expenses to cover travel costs incurred on behalf of the council. In the last financial year, the sum amounted to �468.53.Mrs Hargood said: "All town councillors are volunteers, but they are all offered the facility of an annual allowance towards their costs."In 2009, the town council agreed, in the light of the economic downturn, not to make any increase to the allowance from the 2008 level and the amount offered to councillors was �283 before tax."The council, which has the second lowest precept of East Devon market towns, scrutinises its expenditure on a monthly basis.