REDDITCH councillors have turned down an extra £50,000 to cover their expenses saying instead that the money should go to benefit residents.
At a meeting of the council’s executive committee on Tuesday (February 2) councillors said it was unthinkable to take the extra £56,500 increase proposed by the independent Remuneration panel whilst the country was facing such financial hardship.
They voted to stick with the current £138,000 allowances budget – despite comparative districts such as Rugby Borough Council receiving more than twice that amount – £337,000, in 2014 to 2015.
The only part of the report they did agree to was to include travel by taxi in cases of urgency when public transport was not readily available.
Council leader Councillor Bill Hartnett (Lab, Church Hill) moved to refuse the increase and said the council could not accept the increase while so many cuts were being made across the board.
“In recent years we have taken the decision not to increase the allowances. I can’t see our decision today being any different. I can’t see how we could accept any of these recommendations with the country in the state it is in now.”
Coun Mark Shurmer (Lab, Lodge Park), who seconded the motion, said: “I think It should be about is reimbursing the costs we incur. We have got it right in recent years to refuse increases and I think it is enough to pay my way as far as my councillor duties.”
Leader of the Conservatives, Coun Julliet Brunner (M’boro), said: “I am pleased we are able to put in the extra part on taxis.
“I think this will open up running for office to those who have no public transport. This extends it to them so they are not disadvantaged.”
