Kitcher welcomes clamp down on Mayor's spending

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

Local Liberal Democrats are celebrating success in the Council chamber after a debate they initiated on the Mayor's budget resulted in annual savings of £8,500 per year.

Campaigner Amy Kitcher, who has been calling for tighter controls since her election to the council last May, welcomed this clamp down, saying, "The Lib Dems asked for a review of the Mayor's budget back in October, as we believed there was too much money being spent on councillor-only hospitality.

"Full Council agreed there should be scrutiny of the matter and the results of which has led to annual efficiency savings of £8,500. This is great news.

"However, the amount of money the Mayor has to spend on hospitality remains too high and it is worrying that the overspend in the mayor's overall budget, £23,000 for the year 08/09 alone, has remained unchecked for so long.

Merthyr Lib Dems oppose free 'perks' for councillors, such as alcohol and food

"We are always being told that the council is strapped for cash, so it seems bizarre to fund free food and alcohol for councillors."

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