Buck stops with Shropshire Council cabinet after allowance increase, say Lib Dems
Shropshire's Liberal Democrats say the buck stops with the new cabinet on the unitary authority to improve services across the county.
The leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group said that with an increase in the allowance paid to portfolio holders, Shropshire residents should expect good roads and reduced blocked drains.
In a statement the Lib Dems said: "Shropshire Council Cabinet members must now take the wrap for poor services in Shropshire. We can no longer allow our portfolio holders to take money for nothing."
"Shropshire residents' money is paid to all those in the Cabinet to do a job for us. The buck stops with them."
Roger Evans, Leader of the group said: “Efficient delivery of our services is a starting point for the extra pay. The Highways portfolio holder in the last Council was paid good money to deliver pothole after pothole, many causing expensive damage to cars with few being able to claim against the Council. Poor drainage, flooding and wasteful tarmac shoved in potholes full of water.
"This new portfolio holder has a will now be earning £18,000 to do this. We will expect good roads, reduced blocked drains and flooding and Kier working efficiently.”
"I will be really interested to see where the trumpeted ‘new’ £40 million for Highways will be found from and the Liberal Democrats will be watching to make sure its spent well if it materialises.”
Deputy leader, Councillor Heather Kidd said the planning chairs that also had a rise to £9,000 each.
"The least we should expect is consistent and balanced decisions alongside Planning Policy delivering for local people, local needs energy efficient housing being the requirement for the people who live here. We need more affordable and smaller housing so that our teachers, carers, police, nurses and all our essential workers can afford to live here, in the areas they work.
"All the Scrutiny Chairs should be working for their £12,000 and improving decisions made by the Administration. They must now deliver for us all and not just for certain towns, and certain groups of people. We all deserve better. This administration really must not be more of the same diminishing returns for us all."
