Conservative Councillors' Allowances Not 'Frozen' - Just Preserved!

5.40.00pm GMT Fri 26th Feb 2010

At this week's full Central Bedfordshire Council budget meeting, Liberal Democrat councillors were astounded to find a totally unexpected recommendation, fixing members' allowances, placed in front of them with no prior warning.

The Tory Council has just decided to 'freeze' its members' allowances - but, surprisingly, only at last year's levels.

For the upcoming year, an independent advisory panel had recommended cuts. Cutting the leader's allowance (which is higher than comparable councils) and all the special responsibility allowances. These are set at a percentage of the leader's. The panel also recommended cutting out the assistant portfolio holders' allowances completely.

As all the councillors who receive these allowances are self-appointed Conservative members, the reason for the Conservative's sudden recommendation to 'freeze' at last year's level is quite clear - it gives them a much better deal. LibDem Councillor Alison Graham says, while 'freezing' sounds as if we are all sharing the pain for the long term, as there are local government elections in Central Beds next year, it's meaningless!'

A LibDem amendment to reinstate the advisory panel's original recommended cuts was overwhelmed by the Conservative self interest. 'We may be freezing, out here in the real world ' says Councillor Graham, 'but the Conservatives are certainly preserving their own financial interests in theirs!'