A Mid Wales county councillor has decided to set the record straight after members of the public accosted her while she was out shopping – to criticise her for accepting a pay rise.
Councillor Sarah Millington, who represents Llandrindod South, said she had not taken part in the vote when Powys County Council approved a 2.45 per cent addition to their allowances at a meeting on October 23, as she had not been present for the debate. The increase will cost the council taxpayer a total of £25,000.
The council spends just over £1 million on allowances each year. Every councillor will be eligible to receive £11,749, but those who chair committees will get more.
The authority’s chairman, Councillor Viola Evans, was the only councillor to refuse the increase at a meeting of the full council in Llandrindod Wells.
Councillor Gary Price, Llandrindod East and West, urged colleagues to freeze their allowances and use the money saved to keep some street lamps lit, but no-one seconded his motion.
Councillor Millington said she believed people had been prompted to talk to her after a letter in the press from Councillor Price, stating that his proposal had received no support.
“The reason for that is, I wasn’t in the room, otherwise I would have done so,” said Councillor Millington. “But I was on a comfort break.”
She said: “I’ve had five people come up to me in the last few days, including one when I was trying to do my shopping in Somerfield with my son, and having a dig at me about it.
“I had to say that I didn’t take the rise. But I do think that 2.45 per cent is about the right level and any more would be taking the mickey.”
Councillor Millington said she would not accept the increase unless her constituents feel she should.
“I’m their councillor; it’s in their hands; if the general consensus of opinion is no, that’s fine,” she said.
She added: “I’m not criticising Councillor Price; I just want to make it clear that I did not vote for the pay increase. I was absent from the discussion so I abstained. I notice that Councillor Price has been criticised for not taking it.”
• See letters page 6, Mid Wales Journal, November 7, 2008.
