THE SENTINEL Friday December 9, 2011
SEN-eO1-S2 [P]
Councillors currently enjoy free drinks
UNVEILING: An education and innovation centre, designed to be at the forefront of developments in agriculture, has been officially opened at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich. The John Platt Centre for Agriculture was named by Jim Paice, Minister for Food and Agriculture, pictured, yesterday. The Minister also toured other new buildings on the college farm before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion. Mr Platt was the college’s governor for 15 years. The centre is the new home of the Reaseheath Agricultural Development Academy, which aims to share cutting edge knowledge and technology transfer across the industry. Picture: Mark Scott
Politicians to pay for their own coffees BY ALEX CAMPBELL
alternative provision for members is explored.
alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk
THIRSTY councillors are to be made to pay for teas, coffees and hot chocolates in the members’ lounge for the first time after guzzling 10,800 free drinks in a year. Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s 44 elected members currently enjoy free hot beverages at the Civic Centre. A machine is provided free by a private firm, but the authority pays more than £3,000-peryear to pay for an average of 900 32p beverage sachets every month. An honesty box is available for members who do want to pay, but senior members say it is barely being used. The measure, part of a £24 million savings plan, will bring councillors in line with staff in having to pay a nominal fee for drinks. Members of the business services scrutiny committee yesterday agreed to support the plan, but demanded alternatives were found. The council could cut another 358 jobs in 2012/13 with scores of services hit by cuts. Labour Councillor Neil Day, member for Blurton West and Newstead, told the meeting: “We don’t have desks like the officers and there are no kitchen facilities for us. “It seems a bit mean-spirited and I think we’re being a bit harsh on ourselves if we say we can’t have a cup of coffee or tea.” Independent Councillor Peter Hayward, member for Trentham and Hanford, said: “I support Councillor Day, but we do seem to be opting for one of the most expensive types of coffee.” Committee chairman Andy Lilley said: “Some members do spend a lot of time here. I take the point on cost implications, but I think there should be some alternative provision.” Paul Shotton, Labour cabinet member for transformation, warned there may be “health and safety implications” if the council provides a kettle for members to make their own teas. But he said: “We have got water which comes out of the taps; the cost of the cups is minimal. “There’s an honesty box in the members’ room at the moment, but some members are not as honest as they should be. “The machine is very expensive. Personally, I don’t mind paying 20p for a cup of coffee. I don’t think the taxpayer should have to pay for it. “We’re looking at £24m in cuts here, I think the least we can do is pay for our own tea.” The committee agreed to support the saving if
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