invisible councillors not worth a penny

COUNCIL leader George Duggins is clearly living in a parallel universe if he truly believes that all Coventry councillors “earn every penny that they get”.

Responding to criticism of the ruling Labour group’s refusal to accept independent recommendations on members allowances, that would have seen annual savings of £13,800, Mr Duggins’ statement simply doesn’t ring true with the thousands of Coventry residents ignored by some of the 54 councillors we have.

While I agree that there are many brilliant councillors out there, unfortunately there are also others who are only notable by their absence and their complete lack of engagement with the people they profess to represent.

Accordingly, I would argue that this sizeable minority of almost invisible local politicians is not worth a single penny. Indeed, the Labour group’s arrogant refusal to accept recommendations to their own allowances that would save the city money, however negligible, while they push through huge cuts and a massive increase in council tax on to the rest of us, vividly highlights the contempt they really do have for the people of Coventry.

Cllr Duggins and his colleagues are always very keen to remind us how ‘austerity’ is forcing them to slash funding for our basic local services.

What a shame they don’t show the same budgetary restraint when it comes to lining their own pockets. Matthew Batson Coundon Coventry