South Northamptonshire Council is aiming to balance the books to prevent an increase in Council Tax from April 2012. Joint working with Cherwell District Council has reduced management costs by cutting down the number of senior officers employed by SNC. But the Tories administration have refused to reduce the cost of their ruling Cabinet.
Liberal Democrat Councillors Chris Lofts and Martin Johns have been arguing that the elite group of 8 Tory Councillors that make up the Cabinet should be reduced.
Chris Lofts explained ‘The total cost of the Cabinet is nearly £66,000 made up of additional payments to the 8 Councillors who already each receive £4,894 as a basic allowance. Reducing the size of the Cabinet would make real savings.’
Lib Dems will be raising the issue at the full Council meeting on 7th December. ‘We will be urging the Tories to bite the bullet and cut out at least one post from the bloated Cabinet.’ Commented Councillor Martin Johns. ‘Northamptonshire County Council have just reduced their Cabinet so why can’t SNC?’