Cornwall councillors reverse allowance rise

Cornwall councillors have voted to reverse a decision to put up their basic allowance after May.

In October members on the Conservative-Independent-controlled council voted to increase their basic allowance from £12,000 to £14,600 a year.

On Tuesday, councillors voted against the rise by 47 votes to 34 with seven abstentions.

The proposed rise was less than the £16,000 recommended by an independent panel.

Conservative councillor Alec Robertson, who proposed the motion to reverse the rise, said: "The original decision to increase allowances was very unpopular and for very good reasons.

"It is the wrong time to do it. We can't do it without it costing council jobs and services and that is too high a price to pay."