Cornish councillors reject increase in allowances

Councillors on Cornwall Council, gained by the Conservatives last year, have rejected an increase in allowances. The basic allowances were proposed to have been increased from £12,000 to £14,600 - a 20% increase. A review panel said this was justified because there were fewer members under the new unitary council than the previous arrangements when there was a county council as well as districts.

But the Council leader, Cllr Alec Robertson, says:

"That just wouldn't be acceptable. It's not about courting popularity, it's not about electioneering, it's about what's right. We've got priorities and our priorities are front-line services. That's where we want the money to go."