Bedford Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat and Labour members have been slammed for voting to top up their allowances in the midst of redundancies and significant cuts to services.
At the Council’s meeting on Wednesday night, there was disbelief from Conservative councillors as a 1% increase in allowances for 2016/17 was agreed by the Mayor’s administration.
The move can be contrasted with the pleas from parents earlier in the evening to protect music services following the news that teachers have been told by the Council to re-apply for their jobs on lower salaries.
At its meeting next week, the Mayor’s Executive is to rubber stamp plans for staffing and service reductions, as well as a 3.99% increase in Council Tax.
The Conservative Group continued its policy of voting against any rise in councillor pay in the context of a difficult financial climate for the Council. Group Leader Cllr Stephen Moon said:
‘The Council needs to show itself to be a responsible leader by setting an example at a time of redundancies and service reductions. Councillors should not be feathering their own nests while destroying those of others.’