Councillor refuses increased expenses

Councillor Charlie Clark said he was "amazed" by the Cabinet decision to accept the inflation link increase in members' expenses when the overview and scrutiny committee had already recommended blocking it as a goodwill gesture to members of the public.

Cllr Clark, of St Michael's ward, said: "I do not see this as a political matter but a cost saving; freezing councillors' allowances would have saved 7,500 at a time when every penny counts.

"Councillors do not have to accept the increase, which is around 163 for the 38 councillors, they are free to make up their own minds.

"I will not be accepting the increase, and hope other councillors will follow my lead. I have already informed the council's treasurers' department of my decision.

"Councillors need to show they are in touch with the concerns of Rother residents.

"Many residents in Rother are facing hard times, many have lost their jobs, while others who have low-paid jobs have had to accept a wage freeze to stay there.

"I am not happy to accept an increase in my allowances while others in the community who I represent are suffering real hardship."

Cllr Sue Prochak was the member at scrutiny committee who put forward the proposal to block the increase.

This move was then criticised during the Cabinet meeting by RDC leader Carl Maynard who dubbed it an attempt to politicise the issue when this was the province of an independent panel which approved the rise in line with inflation three years ago.

Cllr Prochak gave her reaction to the Observer this week and said: "For a start this shows that scrutiny doesn't work.