DEBATE: Should councillors’ allowances increase amid £140m cuts?

West Sussex county councillors are set to approve increases in their allowances and expenses at a time when the authority is facing £140m cuts today (Friday October 18).
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Oct 2013, 11:29 BST
County Hall South ChichesterCounty Hall South Chichester
County Hall South Chichester

It was exclusively revealed in the County Times earlier this month that the county council was expecting to need a further £140m savings in the next four years, on top of £79m already identified.

Today councillors will debate plans to reinstate a scheme for members allowances and expenses, a scheme which was suspended when allowances were frozen in 2010.

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As a result members would receive a one per cent pay increase to their allowances, councillors mileage rate would increase from 53.8p per mile to 59.25p per mile, and subsistnece costs would rise by 2.7 per cent.

A comprehensive review of members expenses and allowances is currently being undertaken.

Join the debate: Should members allowances and expenses be increased at a time community services are facing substantial cuts? Comment below or email [email protected]

For a full report on the meeting see next Thursday’s West Sussex County Times.