I have received a number of enquiries from residents alarmed at statements made in leaflets they have received regarding councillors allowances.
Having consulted with council officers I can confirm that after implementing the majority of recommendations made by an independent panel the total cost of Epsom & Ewell councillors allowances in 2015-16 is projected to be just under £159,000.
This is an increase of around £7179 in total, or 4.7% compared with the previous year. The average per councillor allowance in Epsom and Ewell is now £4181.79, which is still the lowest by some considerable margin compared with all other Councils in Surrey.
I can also confirm that council staff have received a pay rise last year and will do so in the coming year; that there have been no cuts to frontline council services in the past four years; and that increases in council tax have been used to fund these services and have not been used to increase reserves, contrary to statements made.
I hope these facts will go some way to putting the record straight and allay the concerns of residents.
Councillor Clive Woodbridge
Chairman
Residents Association group of Councillors
- Send your letters to: letters@epsomguardian.co.uk
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