A MOTION to reduce councillors allowances by 10 per cent was rejected this week. Lib Dem Robin Parker, a member of Stevenage Borough Council, made the proposal at the council s budget meeting. He said: We could make further savings by taking a 10 per ce

A MOTION to reduce councillors' allowances by 10 per cent was rejected this week.

Lib Dem Robin Parker, a member of Stevenage Borough Council, made the proposal at the council's budget meeting.

He said: "We could make further savings by taking a 10 per cent cut in members' allowances. Our allowances are higher than average and we need to show some solidarity with residents who may have little or no wages coming in."

Cllr Parker suggested the savings made by doing this, thought to be in the region of �50,000, could be used to support the Stevenage branch of the Citizens' Advice Bureau which, according to Sharon Taylor, leader of SBC, currently has people "pouring in the doors, seeking advice".

But Cllr Parker's proposal was only supported by the Lib Dem members, with Labour and Conservative councillors unanimously voting against it.

Cllr Taylor said: "I would recommend that they [the Lib Dems] are perfectly welcome to forego all or part of their allowances." But Cllr Parker said this would not be enough.

A freeze on members' allowances was approved instead.