Burntwood Town Council's offices at the Old Mining College Centre

Civic spending at Burntwood Town Council will be looked at, a councillor has confirmed.

The Old Mining College Centre
Burntwood Town Council’s offices at the Old Mining College Centre

The local authority came under fire earlier this year for approving the purchase of a new chain for the chairman’s consort at a time when it was also raising the council tax precept by more than a third.

Figures to last week’s meeting of the council revealed that despite a budget of £2,500 for civic expenses during 2015/16, a total of £3,552 was actually spent.

Cllr Diane Evans
Cllr Diane Evans

Leader of the Labour opposition group at Burntwood Town Council, Cllr Diane Evans, said spending needed to be closely monitored at a time of cutbacks elsewhere.

“Lichfield District Council is reducing civic expenses so I would hope this is something which would be looked at in Burntwood,” she said.

“We are having to cut back so much elsewhere because of what the Government has done, so it is important that we look at the civic budget and review it.”

Cllr Doug Pullen
Cllr Doug Pullen

Cllr Doug Pullen, chairman of the council’s policy and resource committee, said the civic bill was up for discussion – but backed the retention of a first citizen.

“It is important for communities like Burntwood that we have a figurehead to welcome visiting civics and show them what the area has to offer,” he said.

“But we do need to make sensible decisions so this issue is already on the agenda for discussion.”

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