Rising cost of your council chairman

By darnold

TODAY the Gazette can exclusively reveal the rising cost of your council's chairman.

Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request shows the chairman of Basildon District Council has been spending more and more taxpayers' money on a hefty allowance as well as cash on transport and gifts.

The chairman performs a range of duties similar to a mayor including meeting and greeting dignitaries and promoting the town.

Next month he will be raising the Olympic flag in Basildon and attending a celebration lunch at the Basildon Business Awards.

So far this year current council chairman, Frank Tomlin, has racked up £5,058 in costs including £1,965 on transport.

At that rate he will smash last year's record costs claimed by Cllr Geoffrey Buckenham who ringed up a yearly total of £11,638.

Basildon council leader Cllr Malcolm Buckley said the role of council chairman was an important one and that the rising costs were down to increasing awareness of Basildon outside the district.

He said: "I know the chairman has been doing a lot more work outside of the district and I think the role provides good value for money to the taxpayer.

"We are trying to spread the message of Basildon further and that means the chairman sometimes has to travel a bit more.

"I know he has visited lots of business meetings and he needs a taxi to get there and back; he is the face of the council and with all the regeneration going on he fills an important role.

"I know other councils run a car for their chairman or mayor and we don't do that.

"I think we compare pretty well to others."

Cllr Tomlin was unavailable for comment.

●Cllr Buckley has also admitted the council could vote to have an elected major in the future.

He said: "At the time of election everybody thought the best thing to do was to go for a council leader and cabinet but in 10 years time or so we could have an elected major.

"I think the way we are made up is right for now but it might have to change."