Ramsey Town Commissioners have chosen not to increase members’ attendance allowances.
The move is in response to a consultation document issued by the Local Government Unit inviting local authorities’ views on raising the amount councillors and commissioners are permitted to claim, currently ?30 per meeting, while non-Tynwald members serving on bodies such as the Work Permit Appeal Tribunal, Office of Fair Trading and Education Council can claim ?78 per session.
Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Captain Nigel Malpass said: ‘At a meeting of the Commission, the Members, sensitive to the mood of the times and committed to service to the community not financial reward, chose not to support an increase in allowances. Indeed, most members of the Commission presently claim neither allowances nor mileage.
‘We were also mindful that this consultation comes a time when there is wide debate about the future size and number of local authorities and when central and local government are under pressure to reduce spending, not impose additional financial burdens on ratepayers and taxpayers.
‘It was against this background members opined that any increase in attendance allowances would be inappropriate, and suggested that the fee paid to other bodies be reduced to the same level payable to local authority members.’
Photo - Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Captain Nigel Malpass. Picture Andrew Barton.
