LOCAL NEWS THE new Antrim/Newtownabbey Super Council has attempted to defend its financial track record after it received a pounding in last weeks Antrim Guardian. Civic leaders came under fire when one of their own broke cover to condemn the excessive spending that began almost a year before Newtownabbey and Antrim councils finally merge. Councillor Adrian Watson has argued that the costs - to date, at least - heavily outweigh the benefits of amalgamation. Members are being paid thousands for sitting on committees that seldom meet, talking about powers they will not actually wield until April next year. All 40 councillors started receiving their £14,200 basic salary after their election in May, topped off with a bewildering array of fringe benefits - ranging from an additional £11,600 for the Presiding Officer, to £6,000 for Committee chairs. Councillor Watson reckons that most reps will receive over £20,000 - and thats before the chamber steps out of shadow format on April Fools Day and actually sits as a Council for the first time. But there is a problem. Such largesse is fine if the new couple were embarking on their new life together with a brand new joint account. Of course, they are not. They have debts big enough to put a strain on any relationship. Debts worth millions. The exact figure was discussed this week over turkey, ham and smoked salmon at a super council workshop for members in Antrim - though almost half of the 40 members did not turn up for the free feast. Those who did heard the Council put it at £62.7 million - a hefty sum, to be sure, but well short of the £100 million figure quoted in last weeks Guardian. Except that is not the whole story. That figure does not take into account the councils massive liabilities - including outstanding bills - which add over £30 million to the balance sheets. And bear in mind that Antrim will be shouldering over £60 million accrued by its neighbours prior to tying the knot. Like all debts they have to be settled, and it is local ratepayers who will ultimately be writing the cheques. Its not all bad news, of course. The new combined borough does have net fixed assets worth an estimated £143.7 million, including an extensive portfolio of impressive facilities. It also maintains that its borrowings are serviced more than adequately by the healthy rate base in both areas. Only time will tell if that is indeed the case as interest rates finally start to creep up. The Council has also defended its policy of providing fine fayre for meetings held at 6.30pm - a time, conveniently, of the members own choosing. “With many members of the new Council trying to balance their Council duties with their own work commitments the 6.30pm slot was deemed the most feasible and was agreed by the new Council, said a spokesperson. Again, it seems, local people are expected to stump up extra cash because one income of £20,000 is not enough for their political representatives. Curiously, they have also attempted to justify the use of a top of the range Mayoral car. And the services of a driver. “The Mayoral car in Newtownabbey transports the Mayor to over 500 events in a typical year and ensures that the Mayor is able to keep to this extremely busy schedule, said the spokesperson. “Additionally, some Mayors may not have access to a car. Thats correct. Just ask Bobby Loughran, who somehow managed a successful year as Antrims first SDLP Mayor without the need for a licence. Antrim has never had a Mayoral car, but that seemed destined to change. It is a similar story for robes. Some Councils, Newtownabbey included, have invested in long, flowing ceremonial garments for their members, lined with ermine - and again Antrim is expected to fall into line. Insiders have confirmed that these items are not cheap, and can cost around £1,500 each. If the new body, and possibly new Borough, required new colours this could represent a huge investment. With senior staff also to be gowned up, it could conceivably weigh in at over £75,000 - and thats not including dry cleaning and maintenance costs. Last week the Guardian also reported that each of the members would receive a brand spanking new iPad and iPhone, but it has since emerged that only the 12 new recruits will receive them. The rest will have to make do with last years models for the time being. However, thats still 40 iPads and 40 iPhones, worth almost £30,000, as well as a Council payment of up to £9,600 for broadband each year. A tidy sum. The spending goes on. Now, as Councillor Watson said last week, it is up to the reps to prove that they are worth it... Antrimnow Antrim Guardian
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:46:02 +0000
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