Labour cut community funding and CAB budget - but keep a tight grasp on their allowances!

A proposal by Morley Borough Independent Councillors to reverse cuts to Community Committees budgets and the Citizens Advice Bureau was rejected at a Full Council Meeting last Wednesday. The proposal, which would have seen Councillors special responsibility allowances cut by 30%, would have generated an additional £190,000 spending on local communities with an additional £50,000 to support local advice provision.

I am disappointed at the decision to reject our proposal. In these difficult times Councillors should be showing more restraint by accepting a reduction in their special responsibilities allowances which is paid on top of their basic allowance and can amount to an additional £20,000 a year! Community Committees need the extra cash to support initiatives from community groups within their wards and the advice service budget should be increased not reduced as many residents need this support when facing problems of bereavement, debt, benefit issues and other legal matters.

The Labour Administration in Leeds pays over £1/4 million in payroll loyalty payments to keep its Labour Members in line and backing the Leadership. As there have been 3 Councillors who have defected from Labour to Independent over the last week or so it would seem that Labour is falling apart both locally and nationally - regardless of what they pay their elected representatives!