Nottinghamshire County Council Conservative Group’s Spokesman on Nottinghamshire & City of Nottingham Fire & Rescue Authority, Councillor Gordon Wheeler has criticised the attendance record of some Labour Members on the sub-committees of that Authority.

Councillor Wheeler expressed particular concern about the Chairman of the Fire Authority’s Human Resources Committee, Councillor Michael Payne, who attended and chaired none of that committee’s four meetings in the 2015/16 financial year, despite receiving a Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,335 in 2015/16 for undertaking this role.

Councillor Wheeler also highlighted the fact that City Council Leader, Councillor Jon Collinsattended NONE of the Fire Authority’s Policy & Strategy Committee meetings during the 2015/16 financial year, despite claiming an overall allowance of £3,502 for that year.

Councillor Gordon Wheeler said:

“I am sure taxpayers expect Fire Authority Members to earn their allowances by regularly attending the committees to which they are appointed, especially if they are chairing those meetings and receiving a special payment to do so.”

Councillor Wheeler added:

“There may be legitimate reasons why councillors cannot attend meetings, but if these persist for a considerable period of time, it is only fair to the public purse to relinquish that role in favour of another councillor who is better able to fulfil those commitments.”

“The procedures allow for a substitute to stand in for an absent councillor, but this is meant to be a very occasional occurrence.  Appointed Members are intended to develop detailed knowledge of their committees, but they cannot do that if they are hardly ever there.”

Fellow Conservative Fire Authority Member, Councillor Liz Yates said:

“A significant sum was paid out to members of the Fire Authority in 2015/16, so it is important that the taxpayer receives good value.  It is debatable whether the Fire Authority really needs so many sub-committees, and when Members consistently fail to attend these meetings it creates the impression that they are receiving public money for nothing.”