A councillor has admitted it was a “difficult” decision to raise allowances.
A meeting of Lichfield District Council confirmed that an IT fund would be amalgamated into the basic allowance members receive.
The decision was criticised by the opposition Labour group’s deputy leader Eric Drinkwater as “morally obscene”, insisting there could be no justification for upping the payment councillors receive.
But the decision was approved and the Conservative cabinet member for finance, Cllr Christopher Spruce, said he recognised that the move would be questioned in some quarters.
“It is a difficult situation on allowances,” he said. “There’s never a right time to raise them.
“But the independent remuneration panel had a difference of opinion with officers and members of the council regarding the IT fund.
“As a result, we have decided to discontinue the technology fund and add it into the basic allowance.”
Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council said he believed the decision was the right one.
“My group have discussed the report and believe the proposal is the right way forward.”
