howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I some times watch the KCC live broadcast of their meetings.Interesting to watch and see how often our members speak.Yesterday they were discusing the Big Conversation.From our member no conversation.Barry Lewis member from Margate made several passionate speeches.Most relevant he stated with the proposed council increase of 5% how could members take £300 per week plus allowances.On DDC a few years ago members had a cut in their allowances then followed years of no increase.Paul Watkins was insistent that we could not expect to increase the council tax and we had to accept a pay cut.
I can only say Big Sister is watching.I expect our members to speak up for us .Less photos and more passionate speeches.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Has anyone else noticed that virtually everything seems to be a target for cuts except for the Councilors pockets.

Bob Whysman and Brian Dixon like this
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,938
Jan Higgins wrote:Has anyone else noticed that virtually everything seems to be a target for cuts except for the Councilors pockets.
.............and also the Royal weddings security! It must have cost a packet to move the homeless sleepers out of shop doorways too.
ray hutstone likes this
Do nothing and nothing happens.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Of course this is only the KCC part, DDC, the parish councils, police and crime commissioner together with the fire and rescue services will all want their bit.
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,087
Jan Higgins wrote:Has anyone else noticed that virtually everything seems to be a target for cuts except for the Councilors pockets.
I think their pockets have been cut: that way they can drop ever more money in and simultaneously claim they're empty.
Jan Higgins likes this
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Sandwich town council are looking to raise their precept by 17% this year, hopefully our town council won't follow suit.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
probably try and go one better, say at 21%.
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,167
Jan Higgins wrote:Has anyone else noticed that virtually everything seems to be a target for cuts except for the Councilors pockets.
With respect I believe the allowances for DDC are the lowest in East Kent and well below what the independent advisor recommends. I don't believe they have been changed in the past eight years and indeed were reduced when the Conservatives took control.
If I worked out my remuneration (I only claim my basic allowance and never claim expenses) per hour spent on 'council business' it would be well below the minimum wage.
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I agree with Rob. correct .No increase for some years and a cut was introduced a few years ago .No w KCC councillors another matter.
I worked many hours when I was a Councillor.
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,820
Yes our council tax represents terrific value for money.i often think its far too low.
howard mcsweeney1 and Guest 1385 like this
Guest 1385- Registered: 27 Oct 2014
- Posts: 322
Agree with Andy B on this one.

Andy B likes this