Public servant: It's good fun... I want to make a difference in the area

Coun Richard Moore represents the ward of Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without on the City of York Council. In the last seven years, he has attended 680 meetings out of 735 where he was expected – a staggering attendance record over the period of 93 per cent.

In the last municipal year, he attended 105 out of 111 meetings, which gave him an attendance record of 95 per cent.

Mr Moore has attended more meetings than any other York councillor over the seven-year period. He received allowances and expenses totalling 23,074.28 in the 2009-10 financial year.

He said: "It's good fun. I would hate to do something and then not do it right. Some of my non-attendances have been unavoidable because two committees have been scheduled on the same day.

"It's a matter of availability – if someone has a full-time job and is a councillor then they won't be able to sit on as many committees. As a full-time councillor, I want to do the job because I want to make a difference in the area."

Three other Yorkshire councillors who attended more than 100 meetings were Jack Clarkson (122 meetings at Sheffield City Council), John Fareham (106 meetings at Hull City Council) and Clive Skelton, see below.