A COUNCILLOR has questioned the decision to restrict the clothing allowance budget for civic leaders to £200.
The figure was agreed at a meeting of Lichfield District Council as part of a revision of the system used to decide which events chair and vice-chairs of the local authority can attend.
As well as removing the matrix, the decision was also made to set the clothing budget at a maximum of £200.
But Cllr Derick Cross, who was chair until he stepped down over comments made to an officer, said he believed the money would not stretch far enough.
The independent member for Alrewas and Fradley – who has previously spoken of the need for councillors to be “properly dressed for the occasion of serious business decision-making” – said:
“I don’t know how overview and scrutiny has come up with this figure of £200.
“In my experience you need a suit for the summer, you need a suit for the winter and you need a coat. Unless you go to a charity shop you’ve got no chance of getting that for £200.
“Plus your consort as well will need clothing, so there’s a nought or something missing off that in my opinion.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said that while the figure had been agreed he was keen that a lack of appropriate clothing would not be barrier to the role.
“The budget for clothing was accepted as an appropriate level.
“I would accept that we would never want to prevent anyone from undertaking that role because they felt they didn’t have appropriate clothing. If that ever arose we’d deal with it at the time on a case by case basis.”
The decision to remove the matrix, which assigned points to invitations to decide which ones should be attended, was also welcomed.
Civic leaders will now be able to make decisions on their own with the support of a council officer.
Cllr David Salter, Conservative member for Shenstone, said:
“I’d like to thank the cabinet for making the decision to remove the restrictive matrix and the points scoring system.
“I was chair a the time that was imposed on us ant it caused a great deal of upset in what we refer to as ‘the chain gang’. I’m glad to see the back of it.
“It makes sense to use common sense rather than restrictions.”
But Cllr Colin Ball, Labour representative for Curborugh said he believed some form of system should have been retained.
“I am somewhat disappointed that the cabinet has rejected the points system. It was something that was worth considering.”
How much are LDC Councillor allowances PA now?
I’ve got a better idea. How about the clothing allowance being £0 and the “chain-gang” jollies being banned? Cllr Cross is once again demonstrating just how out of touch he is – demanding £2k to spent on a couple of suits and a coat? Really? At a time when families are struggling suggesting this amount is spent on clothes is obscene. He needs to go, and to go quickly. I sincerely hope Alrewas and Fradley don’t elect him again. He’s clearly too pig-headed to stand down of his own accord.
I worked from 16-65 other than Safety Clothing I supplied my own suits etc out of my own pocket.
why do councillors require any money for clothes?
Everyone needs Weather appropriate Clothing, Spring, Summer Autumn and Winter, as everyone needs Formal Attire at times. These are the basics of life.
I could do with a New Coat or two. Had mine 8 years. Disgraceful
Realist,
At least I don’t hide behind a curtain as you are doing. You have no idea what the role entails and requires of that position, or the expense whoever is in that role has to fund from their own pocket.
I was elected to speak up and I will continue to do so.
Cllr. Derick Cross
You’d be surprised what I know Cllr Cross.
But I’m guessing very few of your residents elected you to gouge for more councillor allowances or stack your own wardrobe. Tell me – how much did you spend on clothes during your term of office (before you had to resign that is for inappropriate behaviour)? And did you keep those clothes after you resigned, or did you donate them to charity so they could benefit from the council’s money?
Cllr Cross you were elected to speak up for the people of Lichfield, not for yourself or your expenses
Cllr Cross
You chose to become a councillor. Nobody forced you into this role so I assume you looked into what it entailed before making your decision and would have known how much of our tax payers money you would be getting to fund a new wardrobe that normal working people have to fund themselves.
Here’s an idea for you and all the other councillors who receive this freebie, instead of spending it on fancy clothes, why not give it to the most vulnerable elderly in the borough to help with their heating bills this winter.
It beggars belief that elderly people in Lichfield will struggle to keep warm this winter while you moan about not having enough free money to buy a fancy suit. I personally don’t care what you wear to carry out your duties as long as you do your job effectively and efficiently.
Yes Cllr Cross
Generally the Electorate does not know what goes on behind the Curtains of the Chambers,
If you are feeling the Pinch of finance in Buying the appropriate Clothing to do this along with other out of Pocket expenses. Then maybe is time to just step away and observe.
And there it is in a nutshell. Everything that is wrong is encapsulated within his own comments. No comprehension of other people’s lives and the financial constraints that some are under. You don’t need to be “dressed” to make a decision, you just need commitment and a bit of back bone. I was quite surprised to find that there was such an allowance, is it really necessary and what has his “consort” got to do with any of this?
Methinks he has been talking to Keir. Perhaps he will give him a few tips on how to do it. Everyone who works should be able to claim VAT back for their clothes.
I really do hope that Cllr Cross continues to speak up for himself and the people who voted for him.
My daughter’s a District Nurse, so Councilllor Cross did you know – ‘Some employers provide uniforms, while others expect nurses to purchase their own.
Some workplaces provide nurses with laundry rooms, while others ask nurses to wash their uniforms at home. Brilliant take they’re workplace soiled uniforms home!
Nurses may be eligible for a uniform tax refund, which is a flat-rate expense allowance of £60 for uniform maintenance. The amount of the tax refund depends on the taxpayer'”
You’re out of touch matey and overprivalaged!