I read with interest your ‘Yass Valley Council Briefs’ in last weeks’ paper, as having attended that meeting, I had been surprised at a seemingly double standard concerning allowances and cost saving measures.

On one hand, legitimate Carers Allowances, which was in place before and up to the first meeting after the last election, was cut by a third immediately and then only partially reinstated at the beginning of this year.

The cost savings were minimal yet the impact on a new Councillor, who signed up and then had the goal posts moved, was both financial and a statement on how the old majority valued a new Councillor.

The cost savings to Council are a pittance when compared to the after meeting wine and dine dinners that have been preserved at a substantial cost as per your article.

It was disappointing to see a councillor refused out of pocket expenses and realising if the Carers Allowance had been left as it had been for approximately four years previously then this would not be a topic of conversation. 

I would suggest that legitimate allowances such as the Carers Allowance are important to ensure the council continues to see diverse representation from the community, especially when there are far more effective cost saving measures, such as replacing expensive after meeting dinners.

Denise Smith, 

Yass.