Councillor Wilson stupefied at 42% rise in allowances
Stupefied is the only way to describe Councillor Wilson's response to the rise in allowances recently
approved by the Conservative-controlled Castle Point Borough Council.
The rise, a whopping 42%,
will be a slap in the face for tax payers who are seeing the beginnings of economic unrest.
"We were told there was no
money to replace play equipment in a children's playground, so how can this increase be justified" asked Councillor Brian
Wilson. "We our residents are struggling to pay bills and services are being cut then the council should be showing restraint."
"Over half of this rise is
as a direct result of the introduction of the cabinet system, which got approved after a shambles of a consultation and a
paltry response. I bet our residents didn't expect this" added Brian.
St.Mary's councillor Brian
Wilson voted for a re-think on the increase, acutely aware that this will not be seen with favour in the local community.
Above-inflation rises when everyone else is faced with a difficult time ahead is not showing any empathy with those who elected
them. Had this come to light before the May elections then things could have been different at the ballot box – the
next elections for the council are not until 2010. Perhaps the ruling administration is relying on short memories.
"We should be paying our councillors
the going rate for the job" said Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Castle Point "but the timing is very
poor. Surely common sense would have dictated a delay on this."
Julian added: "I applaud both
Brian Wilson and the Canvey Independents for voting against this. I hope the Conservative administration sees sense and reverses
this decision post haste."
