No-one’s on the fiddle here, sir (From Stourbridge News)

No-one’s on the fiddle here, sir

1:00pm Monday 22nd June 2009

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I WRITE in response to your recent contribution on your letters page by J Brittain and his question with regard to local councillor expenses.

S/He asks if there are any 'Eric Pollards lurking in the local town halls'. Whilst it may be argued that a few of my colleagues resemble either Sue Pollard or Eric Pickles from a distance I hope I can reassure him that we have few if any locally elected representatives 'on the make'. (I do enjoy a pint of bitter but prefer the Bull and Bladder to the Woolpack even though its filled with supporters of Sandwell Town).

I agree entirely that all expenses and allowances should be open for scrutiny and that as locally elected representatives we should remain accountable to the public we claim to support.

Rather than 'squirm' I remain proud of my record as a local cllr, although the author is right that we end up being tarred with the same brush and guilty by association.

To set my record straight, I receive an allowance of £7,419 per annum which equates to £339.43 per month after tax. For this I work approximately 20 to 25 hours per week serving my local ward in Lye and Wollescote through regular surgeries and roving surgeries or attending community or council meetings. I entered into the council chamber in full knowledge of this so seek no sympathy or accolade merely to be open and transparent. Indeed I do not think that I am particularly special in this regard as many colleagues of all political persuasions dedicate similar time and energy to their posts.

This allowance also covers loss of earnings as many of us have to take unpaid leave to attend council meetings as many of us work full time and our employer will not pay when not in work. (I have a full time job working for a trade union and therefore fit my council duties in outside of my contracted hours or take TOIL or unpaid leave). In addition I was elected by my fellow Cllr's to serve on the Shadow Cabinet for Regeneration, this involves meeting's every week to ensure we scrutinise effectively council decisions.

I became a local Cllr because I wished to make a difference. I passionately oppose all 'professional politicians' from whatever party and believe it is important for democracy that all politicians are accountable. I remain a working class lad committed to serving my community that I was born and bred in.

As a Cllr I can claim expenses but am happy to state that since I was elected in 2005 I have claimed not one penny, zilch, nothing in expenses and do not envisage me doing so in the future.

If we as local representatives can demonstrate our accountability and transparency then hopefully we can start the slow step of showing that many of us, irrespective of political shade, sought election to improve our communities and not take from them.

Pete Lowe Cllr, Lye and Wollescote Ward

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