CLAREMONT, St. Ann:
THE SALARIES of several councillors in the St. Ann Parish Council were recently docked because they failed to attend a number of sittings and failed to provide an explanation for their absence.
The councillors, who were expecting a salary increase in line with that of their colleagues across the island, were informed at a meeting at the St. Ann Parish Council on February 25 that instead of getting more money, they would be required to pay back money owed to the Ministry of Local Government.
Sources told The Gleaner that a memorandum was sent to the St. Ann Parish Council some weeks ago by the Ministry of Local Government that payment should not be made to councillors who failed to attend all the meetings for the month.
In the wake of the deductions, some councillors did not get any money at all.
One councillor is reported to have complained: "I have children in school who have to be financed."
Other councillors contended that all the deductions should not have been done at one time.
St. Ann's Bay Mayor Charles Tait told The Gleaner that it was an administrative and not a political matter, and insisted that councillors were expected to attend the regular monthly meeting and five committee meetings per month.
He added: "If an apology is presented, fine; but they have a responsibility to justify taxpayers' money, hence they should attend meetings."
