A MOTION put forward by Wiltshire Councillors Jeff Osborn and Terry Chivers asking the council to reconsider its decision to substantially increase councillor allowances was thrown out last week.

It is the second time that a motion has been put forward to the council to overturn the controversial allowance increase for Wiltshire Councillors, which was approved following recommendations by an independent panel at the end of 2013.

The recommendation saw increases of one per cent for all councillors and 22 per cent for cabinet members, but the decision by councillors to award themselves the increase was heavily criticised.

Independent Cllr Osborn, who is responsible for Trowbridge Grove division, said during the meeting at County Hall last Tuesday: “I think we should show a good example to the people and curb our own excesses for members.

“I know I brought forward a similar motion before and I know it’s been defeated, but I still think it’s important because every time I speak to people out there they give me the impression that they consider there are quite a few people on the gravy train in this council.”

A petition against the move to increase councillor allowances was organised by council taxpayer Paul Gaunt following the approval of the recommendation and attracted almost 3,000 signatures.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member, said: “The special responsibility allowances were recommended by the independent review body on the commencement of this council, they were duly adopted by this council and in my view should be left undisturbed at this time.

“They will of course be reconsidered again in 2017 following the election of a new council. Therefore, I do not think it is appropriate to interfere with the current arrangements which have been properly considered by this council and adopted.

“It is, of course, open to individual members to decide to take all or part of their SRAs and that is an individual decision which is entirely personal to them and they can take or not as they wish.”