PRESS RELEASE
LABOUR DEMANDS CUTS TO CABINET
The Labour group of TDC councillors has tabled a motion calling for the reduction of TDC’s cabinet to reflect the new structure within the council.
On September 6th a new structure came into operation under which the eleven former departments within TDC were merged into five new ones. However, three months later there is no sign of the Conservative administration reducing the number of portfolio holders sitting within its cabinet to reflect the new streamlined structure.
The Labour group is, therefore, tabling a motion calling for the cabinet to be reduced from executive Leader and nine portfolio holders to Executive Leader and five portfolio Holders, the change coming into effect at the next meeting of the council after the tabling of the motion.
Proposer of the motion, Councillor Ivan Henderson, says:
“Every month that passes sees cabinet members receiving payment for portfolios that no longer exist. This should have been dealt with at the same time that the new structure came into effect. If times are as hard as we are being told this surely should have been identified as an immediate saving.”
The Labour group has also entered into correspondence with officers to ensure that the motion is taken on the night and not referred to cabinet for consideration which would cause further unnecessary delay. It is Labour’s belief that, as every cabinet member receives a large additional allowance for being part of the cabinet, they are automatically prejudiced from considering a reduction in its number.
“This needs to be dealt with immediately by the members of the council,” continued Ivan Henderson. “ Not only is it inefficient but every week that passes sees more council tax payers money paid to cabinet members who no longer need to be at the table.”
For further information please contact Ivan Henderson on: 07889 367822