COUNCILLORS are set vote on whether they should continue to claim up to 58 pence a mile in fuel expenses.

An independent review of Stroud District Council members’ expenses will be put before the council at a meeting on Thursday night.

The current mileage rates are based on the "officer casual user rates" as agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC), which are 42.9p per mile for vehicles under 999cc, 46.9p for 1000-1199cc and 58.7p for vehicles over 1200cc.

The Independent Remuneration Panel said in its review of members’ expenses: "The argument against these rates is that they are not the most environmetally friendly rates and pay more for members with larger cars."

The panel said that the only other option would be for councillors to use the HM Customs and Revenue flat rate of 40p per mile. In its recommendations it said that it supports the councillors right to use the NJC rates, but says each member should be given the option to start each civic year claiming mileage at the HMCR rate (40p) if they wish to do so.

At the same meeting councillors will also be discussing ways to save the council money by forgoing their regular tea and biscuits at council meetings.

Leader of the council Chas Fellows said that the members need to come up with a way of making three percent savings on this year’s budget.

All councillors were asked their opinions on how they could cut back and the top answer was to give up their usual tea and biscuits at meetings. The proposals also include freezing Special Responsibility Allowances at 2008/09 levels, which would save around £3,000 and reducing the cabinet by two members, which would save nearly £20,000.

See next week’s Gazette to find out how councillors voted on the above proposals.