Hailsham Town Councillors Vote To Freeze Member Allowances

March 17, 2010 - PRLog -- At the council’s Finance, Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on Monday 1st March 2010, councillors approved the proposal to keep members’ basic allowances at the current rate of £835 per elected councillor for the year ending 31st March 2011.

The responsibility allowance for the Town Mayor and Chairman of the Council will also remain frozen at £1,280.

Cllr Jeff Bentley-Astor, chairman of the Finance, Policy & Resources Committee said, “Residents and businesses are still feeling the impact of the current adverse economic climate.  As Hailsham Town Council is committed to making taxpayers’ money go further, we feel it is the right and proper thing to agree that all members forego any increase in their allowances approved by Wealden District Council’s Remuneration Panel.”

Cllr Dr Ian Haffenden, Town Mayor and Chairman of Hailsham Town Council said, “We don’t do this for the money and have a long-standing tradition of having a sensible attitude towards our allowances.”

Adds Cllr Dr Haffenden, “A lot of people have lost their jobs and businesses continue to close.  Therefore, an allowance increase at this time is not a viable option for the council in its bid to help tax payers during these hard times.”

Councils are required to set their Schemes of Allowances on an annual basis, based on the recommendations of an Independent Panel. In addition to the current economic state of affairs, factors that determine members’ allowances include the total amount of the council’s tax precept and estimated staff pay based on nationally negotiated pay awards.

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THIS PRESS RELEASE, CONTACT:
Terry Hall, Hailsham Town Council
Inglenook
Market Street
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 2AE
United Kingdom