By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Newark councillors clashed over finances in a tense meeting after the Labour administration said it would spend money on three new cabinet members.
The Conservatives at Newark and Sherwood District Council suffered defeat in the May elections, with the leader and deputy leader both losing their seats.
The council was left under ‘no overall control’, until Labour, the Independents and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition group to support each other.
In a full council meeting on July 19, councillors clashed after Labour announced it would increase the number of portfolio holders from five to eight.
The change means there is a requirement to review members’ allowances.
The new portfolios are climate change, biodiversity and environmental services and heritage, culture and the arts.
Leader of the authority Cllr Paul Peacock said the recommendations of the review from the Independent Remuneration Panel will be brought to councillors in October.
In the meantime, Cllr Peacock said the extra three members would be paid the current agreed rate of £8,500 per annum pro rata.
Paul Peacock said the three new cabinet members would provide “value for money”.
But Conservatives said it was a “kick in the teeth” and accused councillors of “lining their own pockets”.
Cllr Jack Kellas (Con) proposed an amendment that the councillors would be paid a reduced rate until the October report was published.
This was voted down by councillors and Cllr Andy Freeman (Lab) joked that the Conservatives had ordered the book “opposition for dummies”.
Cllr Kellas said: “This isn’t money to benefit the people we represent, this is more money to benefit councillors.
“Whilst the electorate has chosen different councillors, what wasn’t in any manifesto was an increase.
“We shouldn’t be lining our own pockets and we certainly shouldn’t be increasing it outside of a remuneration panel’s report.”
Cllr Phil Farmer (Con) added: “The people of NSDC voted in good faith expecting transparency, responsibility and good governance.
“That money should be spent and used in better ways than lining the pockets of a labour cohort.”
Cllr Johno Lee added that the news was a “kick in the teeth”.
He said: “It’s really interesting that one of the first things you are doing as a council is making the taxpayer pay more money to line your own pockets.
“The budget has been agreed and that money has been allocated and voted on.
“You are asking for this council to agree to more money that hasn’t been budgeted, even if it might be 10p or 20p per household.
But Cllr Peacock said: “We do need to attract good quality councillors to this and that can only come with a decent remuneration.
“I know for a fact that our portfolio holders are working hard.”
Cllr Emma Oldham (Ind) who is one of the new portfolio holders, said the new positions are “worth every penny of investment”.
She said: “Climate change and biodiversity loss are significant, it is not about lining our pockets.
“By investing in these climate and biodiversity portfolios, not only are we safeguarding our environment, but we are also enhancing the resilience of our communities.
“The cost of 10p compared to the cost of not taking action is a considerable difference.
“The establishment of these portfolios sends a powerful message to our constituents, it demonstrates that we have an unwavering commitment to our environmental stewardship.”
Cllr Andy Freeman (Lab) joked that the Conservatives had ordered the book “opposition for dummies”.
He said: “They really need to get through the five stages of grief because they are still in denial.
“There’s a bit of anger and a lot of depression if you look at their faces.
“I’ll be pleased when we get to acceptance and can have some sensible debate about what this council does.”
