A MOVE to cut back on councillor allowances in order to save local libraries has been shot down by Conservative councillors.

The Labour group tried to push through a scheme at Thursday’s full council meeting that would have seen the 0.3 per cent increase in basic allowances scrapped and the rate returned to the 2007/08 level.

The group claimed the savings would amount to £29,500 – which they said could be used to save branch libraries from closure.

But the ruling Conservative group dismissed the suggestions as politically motivated, and instead suggested a review of travel expenses within Swindon.

Coun Ray Ballman (Lab, Gorse Hill), who raised the motion, said: “I am very disappointed that we lost the vote. The Conservatives said that £29,000 was a small figure to save but our view was that it would help save Gorse Hill library.

“We know people are suffering through the recession and I also think that libraries are very important – this would have been a way of showing people we are doing something to support local services and not just ourselves.

“The Conservatives are suggesting looking into travel expenses – which would be an even smaller sum than allowances, as a lot of councillors don’t claim them.”

Council leader Rod Bluh said: “We discounted their claimed savings on the library because they were only seeking to make a contribution. This was not a sustainable or strategic move.

“I have said time and time again that no decision has been made on libraries.”

Coun Bluh pointed out that the administration had already rejected all raises suggested by an independent remuneration panel apart from index-linking to the Local Government Pay Settlement for 2009/10.

He said: “The allowances are there to recompense people for a job they do. They may not be popular and I understand that I chose to do this role but I still need to pay my bills. I do this full-time so I have no other way of making money.

“If you want the right people to do the job and to do it properly you can’t expect them to live on absolutely nothing.”

Coun David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill) said he thought the move from the Labour group was “two-faced”.

He said: “In February, Stan Pajak raised a motion, which I seconded to freeze councillor allowances and that was not supported by either Labour or the Conservatives.

“Now three months down the line why has the Labour group suddenly changed its tune?

“I think this is just political posturing.”

Swindon Council allocated £689,000 from its 2008/09 budget for councillors’ services. This included £449,000 for the basic allowances and £240,851 for other allowances, such as the mayor.

A further £17,100 was allocated for councillors’ training and development.

A REVIEW of councillor’s expenses will be carried out later in the year, according to the council leader.

Coun Rod Bluh will instruct an independent panel to review the expenses system – which cost taxpayers £11,307 in 2007/08 and especially at the issue of councillors being paid for travel within Swindon.

He said: “I think it’s only fair to look into borough travel. When I started in this role I thought it was fairly obvious that I would be expected to go to the Civic Offices.

“As Justin Tomlinson has pointed out, being an MP or councillor is one of the few jobs where you get paid to turn up at work.”

The latest figures for Swindon councillor expenses relate to 2007/08, when Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) topped the table with expenses of £2,036, followed by Coun Doreen Dart (Con, Blunsdon) on £1,430 and £1,338 for Labour leader, Kevin Small.

All other councillors claimed less than £1,000.