SEN-eO1-S2 [P] THE SENTINEL Friday December 9, 2011 19

Politicians topay for theirown coffees

Councillors currently enjoy free drinks

BY ALEX CAMPBELLalex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk

THIRSTY councillors are to bemade to pay for teas, coffeesand hot chocolates in themembers’ lounge for thefirst time after guzzling10,800 free drinks in a year.

Stoke-on-Trent City Coun-cil’s 44 elected members cur-rently enjoy free hot beverages atthe Civic Centre.

A machine is provided free by a private firm,but the authority pays more than £3,000-per-year to pay for an average of 900 32p beveragesachets every month.

An honesty box is available for members whodo want to pay, but senior members say it isbarely being used.

The measure, part of a £24 million savingsplan, will bring councillors in line with staff inhaving to pay a nominal fee for drinks.

Members of the business services scrutinycommittee yesterday agreed to support theplan, but demanded alternatives were found.

The council could cut another 358 jobs in2012/13 with scores of services hit by cuts.

Labour Councillor Neil Day, member for Blur-ton West and Newstead, told the meeting: “Wed o n’t have desks like the officers and there areno kitchen facilities for us.

“It seems a bit mean-spirited and I thinkwe ’re being a bit harsh on ourselves if we say wec a n’t have a cup of coffee or tea.”

Independent Councillor Peter Hayward, mem-ber for Trentham and Hanford, said: “I supportCouncillor Day, but we do seem to be opting forone of the most expensive types of coffee.”

Committee chairman Andy Lilley said:“Some members do spend a lot of time here. Itake the point on cost implications, but I thinkthere should be some alternative provision.”

Paul Shotton, Labour cabinet member fortransformation, warned there may be “healthand safety implications” if the council providesa kettle for members to make their own teas.

But he said: “We have got water which comesout of the taps; the cost of the cups is minimal.

“T here’s an honesty box in the members’room at the moment, but some members are notas honest as they should be.

“The machine is very expensive. Personally, Id o n’t mind paying 20p for a cup of coffee. I don’tthink the taxpayer should have to pay for it.

“We ’re looking at £24m in cuts here, I thinkthe least we can do is pay for our own tea.”

The committee agreed to support the saving if

alternative provision for members is explored.

What do you think? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk

UNVEILING: An educationand innovation centre,designed to be at theforefront of developmentsin agriculture, has beenofficially opened atReaseheath College, inNantwich.The John Platt Centre forAgriculture was namedby Jim Paice, Minister forFood and Agriculture,pictured, yesterday. TheMinister also touredother new buildings onthe college farm beforeunveiling a plaque tomark the occasion.Mr Platt was thecollege’s governor for 15years. The centre is thenew home of theReaseheath AgriculturalDevelopment Academy,which aims to sharecutting edge knowledgeand technology transferacross the industry.Picture: Mark Scott

SheltonNewRoad,Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, StaffordshireST46DSStore:01782712611 orvisitwww.gilbertsfurnishers.co.uk

OPENING HOURSMonday Saturday 9am-6pm

Sunday 11am - 5pm

©NM

WINTER CLEARANCE SALE

Dorchester4’6”Bedplus2 freedrawersand freeheadboardworth£149

was£499NOW£299MilanTableand4LeatherChairs

was£999NOW£399

2FREEDRAWERSAND FREE

HEADBOARD

Coffee tables,NestofTable’s,PicturesandLampsall atClearanceprices to takeaway

LASTCHANCEFORCHRISTMASDELIVERY

©NM

Gerry Weber Joseph Ribkoff Olsen Bianca Libra and many more

Gerry Weber Joseph Ribkoff Olsen Bianca Libra and many more

Ger

ryW

eber

Jose

phR

ibko

ffO

lsen

Bia

nca

Libr

aan

dm

any

mor

e

Gerry

Weber

JosephR

ibkoffO

lsenB

iancaLibra

andm

anym

ore

01785 81550716A High Street, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8AW

www.somethingdifferentofstone.com

Ladies Fashions

WINTER SALENOW ON

BARGAIN RAIL PRICES FROM £10UP TO 70% OFF PARTY WEAR