Ottery councillors want expenses
OTTERY councillors want to claim expenses for costs racked up performing their civic duties.
OTTERY councillors want to claim expenses for costs racked up performing their civic duties.
Town officials on Monday "agreed in principle" to claim petrol and parking expenses and will decide next month whether issues such as bus travel and childcare costs should be reimbursed.
Councillors were unanimous in agreement that "no councillor should be out of pocket as a result of fulfilling their duties."
Cllr William Laitinen felt the provision of expenses would enable the council to remain an "open opportunity for all people of society to get involved", regardless of their financial status.
Cllr Roger Giles agreed and said: "council membership has been restricted to people that can afford to do it. We want a broad spread."
Deputy mayor Ian Holmes said: "We're not talking about a great deal of money, it's mainly trips within the parish."
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The issue was deferred until next month's town council meeting.
