Expenses for mayor could be raised (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Expenses for mayor could be raised
2:30pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in Ledbury
LEDBURY Town Councillors have discussed raising the level of expenses that can be claimed back by the town mayor each year.
The current level allowed by the budget is £1,500, but several former mayors believe this is not enough, and that the duties of being mayor are likely to put a councillor out of pocket.
Speaking at last week’s finance and general purposes committee, in the Market House, Coun Clive Jupp said: “It was £1,500 when I was mayor, and I certainly overspent that.”
Former town mayor, Coun Keith Francis said: “The cost of living is going up and that is not indicated by the level of expenses that may be claimed.”
He also pointed out that Ledbury’s mayors are now travelling further afield on official duties.
Last year’s mayor Allen Conway said: “I spent more than my allowance, but not everyone is in a position to use their own finances.”
Current mayor Phill Bettington, said he was not claiming expenses for every official duty he attended.
Comments(8)
Ubique5740
says...
8:59pm Sat 29 Sep 12
I work 8 hours a week,broken down to 4 hours a day. To get to the charity office I drive 8 miles each way,a weekly mileage of 32 miles. Some days I purchase my own lunch, sandwiches. Quite rightly none of this is paid. How can these bloated " public servants" justify this increase when all around them are tightening their belts,dreading the energy bills dropping through their letter boxes.
bobby47
says...
9:11pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Ubique has given you a brief snapshot of what he/she gives to the community. I respectfullyu suggest that you start giving rather than taking.
Andrew Warmington
says...
12:30pm Tue 2 Oct 12
The logical conclusion of what you are saying is that we either do away with a Town Council altogether (and presumably have everything run direct from Hereford: I promise you, you won't like that) or that those who serve on it shouldn't be allowed to claim expenses incurred in carrying out their responsibilities, which do involve a bit more than walking around Ledbury. That effectively rules out everyone bar the independently wealthy or saints.
drewbreath
says...
2:20pm Tue 2 Oct 12
Years ago, someone on Herefordshire Council said he was unable to manage on around £14,000 a year expenses and wanted more. Bet he got more.
Never let it be said that being on the council doesn't pay, especially when you can bask in the glory while getting volunteers to do all the donkey work for free.
Andrew Warmington
says...
2:57pm Tue 2 Oct 12
But are you seriously suggesting that (a) our town councillors are doing that, in which case please substantiate it, or (b) that's a way of making a living for them?
Let's get some perspective here. Yes, bobby47, democracy is expensive. It still beats the alternative IMHO.
Colin J Marschall
says...
7:12pm Tue 2 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
9:33pm Tue 2 Oct 12
In days gone by I had faith in those that were elected to represent me and my community but now.....I have nothing but contempt for those that take and seek to take more from my Country.
Democracy is expensive Andy. It's just that I didn't ever think it was going to cost me and my fellow Herefordians six hundred and eighty thousand pounds to keep fifty six Councillors fed and watered. As for the position of Mayor I can only say that I dont care whether Ledbury has a Mayor or not. However, I do care that the public have to fund the Office and I do care that he wants more.
I'm not attacking you Andrew. Its simply how I feel about the political elite that, through badly thought out gimmicks, plans and initiatives is bringing about the ruination of my home Herefordshire.
My warmest regards to you.
bobby47 says...
4:42pm Sat 29 Sep 12
He wanted to be Mayor and wear some chained bangle round his neck and get photographed now and then, so be gone with this idea that he should get more of the publics money.
I've got no problem with him wearing his little necklace and waltzing around meeting and greeting the great and the good but I dont see why Ledbury should pay him.
All these public officials have huge egos and they'd gladly do it for nothing it it meant they got there name on some plaque celebrating his or her lifes service to public office and got photographed presenting some idiot who managed to grow some huge Marrow in their backgarden.
Democracy is getting too expensive to keep paying for a Mayor. We cant carry on like this.
'I do hope I come across as a reasonable person'.
My very warmest regards to the Mayor and all beneath him who feed and bloat themselves from the public funds.