I REFER to the article by Peter Doherty headed Councillors vote for extra allowances', (Bury Times, July 5).
The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel to which he refers followed a review of the Members' Allowances Scheme, and it is correct to say that one of the recommendations was to pay subsistence allowances.
However, I should point out that this does not represent an additional allowance for elected members.
Local authorities have for many years paid subsistence allowances to elected members to cover the cost of meals and accommodation incurred when undertaking council business and Bury is no exception to this.
The rationale behind the Remuneration Panel's recommendation was to provide clarity of this position within the Members' Allowances Scheme.
MARK SANDERS Chief Executive Bury Council
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