MEMBERS of Swindon Council were greeted by angry council staff as they attended last night’s full council meeting.

UNISON members protested to show their disgust at the actions of the Council and their determination to fight on.

This came on the night that councillors voted on a pay freeze for councillor allowances.

Bob Cretchley, UNISON Branch Secretary, said: “This meeting is an opportunity for the Council to put forward a negotiated solution acceptable to staff.

“This will show whether they are serious about settling this dispute – we look forward to hearing what they have to say.”

Council leader Rod Bluh, met the protesters at the steps of the civic offices and said: “You have to make tough decisions in life and where we got to is what we felt was fair and in line with market conditions nationally.

“The issue with pay rates is part of the single status review that is taking place.

“We are talking jobs here and I don’t want to see any jobs going unnecessarily.”

The council passed the recommendation from the Independent Renumeration Panel last night to freeze councillors’ allowances despite objections from the Liberal Democrat Party.

Lib Dem councillor, Andy Harrison, called for councillors allowances to be cut by 15 per cent which was rejected by the council as a publicity stunt.

Coun Harrison, ward councillor for Penhill, said: “It is wrong for councillors to continue to take the current level of allowances when we expect residents of Swindon to see a reduction in the services that they receive.

“How can we justify a freeze when we are making people redundant.”

Councillor Kevin Small (Lab, Western) , said: “We should be treated the same way as the staff. There is a zero per cent increase for our staff and therefore we have a zero percent increase for us.”

Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said: “I don’t think councillors should have any say in the renumeration. If a truly independent panel makes the recommendation we should follow it.”