Abergavenny Town councillors narrowly passed a controversial vote last week to award packages of £500 for some councillors to cover expenses, with one opponent branding the move ‘crazy’.

At a council meeting last Wednesday, six councillors voted in favour of awarding the payments to committee chairs, in a contentious vote which Councillor Nick Tatam likened to a ‘gravy train’.

“This seems to me to be crazy,” said Councillor Tatam. Getting £500 for chairing a meeting — I don’t think anyone deserves that sum just for turning up. This is looking like a gravy train — the last thing we want.” ??

Voting in favour, Councillors David Simcock, Sam Dodd, Fred Morgan, Penny Simcock, Tony Konieczny, and mayor Teslin Davies opposed and beat the votes of Councillors Nick Tatam, Gethin Jones, Martyn Hickman, Martyn Groucutt, and Tudor Thomas.

The allowances being made to councillors are in accordance with the Independent Renumeration Panel for Wales (IRPW) report published back in February.

Supporting the move, Councillor Sam Dodd said that although councillors served ‘voluntarily’ some ‘financial recognition’ was just, given the responsibility of serving a larger council such as Abergavenny.

Referring to that report, a council spokesperson told the Chronicle that increased responsibilities bestowed upon councillors meant that such payments were recommended by the IRPW.

“The panel recognises that specific member roles such as a committee chair within larger local councils such as Abergavenny Town Council involves greater responsibility than in a smaller council.

“This level of responsibility is increasing as principal authorities continue to delegate service provision. The panel has determined that councils such as Abergavenny Town Council must make available an annual payment of £500 to a minimum of one senior role and up to a maximum of five.

“As the town council has several committees managing different areas of activity, a decision has been taken to make available four payments in recognition of specific responsibilities.

“These are the chairs of the finance committee; the projects committee, the planning committee and the events committee. This allowance is subject to tax and works out at less than £10 per week.”

The council was also keen to point out that the payment to the Mayor has recently decreased from £2000, to £1500, whilst payments to deputies increased from £200 to £500. All councillors receive £150 to cover essential costs such as phone bills, and printing costs.

“With all these allowances, town councillors can decline to accept them,” the spokeswoman said, before adding, “A number of the councillors who voted against had however voted for to support the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales report recommendations at the council meeting in March so it’s a bit of a confusing picture.”