Pair hit out in row over allowance (From The Northern Echo)

Middlesbrough councillors hit out over extra allowances

4:15pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Middlesbrough News

TWO councillors have voiced their opposition to a committee chairman receiving a special allowance of £9,200 a year.

The Northern Echo previously reported how Councillor John Cole, chairman of Middlesbrough Council's planning committee, was criticised for accepting the allowance, despite missing five of the past 11 meetings.

Coun Cole, who has not broken any rules, said the council needed members who worked and not just those who were retired or unemployed. The offshore worker and Labour councillor added that new arrangements would be put in place to allow him to attend all meetings in future.

He won the support of Labour group deputy leader, Councillor Janice Brunton, who said he had the backing of the planning committee.

But two committee members have contacted The Northern Echo to place their opposition on record.

Conservative councillor John Hobson said: "The statement from Councillor Janice Brunton is not correct. I, as a member of the planning committee, do not support any chairman of a committee receiving Special Responsibility Allowance. I believe, in the view of budget reductions, all meetings should be chaired without remuneration."

Independent councillor Bill Hawthorne said: "It just doesn't make any sense at all to reward a councillor to the tune of £9,200 when he is only available 50 per cent of the time.

"There are other competent councillors who would be available and willing to fill this position free of charge, saving the council vast amounts of money."