Councillors on Cornwall Council, gained by the Conservatives last year, have rejected an increase in allowances. The basic allowances were proposed to have been increased from £12,000 to £14,600 – a 20% increase. A review panel said this was justified because there were fewer members under the new unitary council than the previous arrangements when there was a county council as well as districts.
But the Council leader, Cllr Alec Robertson, says:
"That just wouldn't be acceptable. It's not about courting popularity, it's not about electioneering, it's about what's right. We've got priorities and our priorities are front-line services. That's where we want the money to go."