Liberal Democrats have voted in support of an independent panel’s recommendation that SNC removes a £705 a year allowance for councillors who are members of the Development Control Committee. The allowance paid is in addition to councillor’s annual allowance. Conservatives proposed an amendment and voted in favour to keep their allowance. Removing it would have saved the council £8,460 a year.

The debate was held on Wednesday 25th February at the last full council meeting to be held at the 32 year-old Springfields offices before it’s knocked down.

Councillor Martin Johns a member of the DC committee says: “Members of the Development Control Committee work extremely hard making difficult judgements about planning applications. Their meetings are often very long and there’s much material to read and absorb in advance. You don’t win any friends either being involved with planning decisions.

However, planning is a fascinating and vitally important function of local government. It’s one of the few aspects of being a councillor where you can make a real difference with just your vote. It’s a privilege to be a member of the committee. Attendance allowances were dropped years ago and councillors now get a generous annual allowance of £5,007. The council’s leader, deputy leader, cabinet members, committee chairs and vice chairs proportionally get a lot more.”

Councillor Chris Lofts says: “It seems foolish for the Conservatives to appoint an independent panel of people only to reject their carefully considered findings. No other council it appears pays such an allowance. Liberal Democrats voted in favour of the panel’s recommendation to remove it.”