CONTROVERSIAL proposals to spend £52,750 of taxpayers' money on a £250 Christmas bonus for all staff at Ashfield District Council will be discussed tomorrow.
The authority has already approved a decision to spend £75,000 on bonuses for lower-paid staff. at a meeting earlier this month. dec
The move was criticised by the council's own finance chief, who said it had not been budgeted for and could lead to cuts elsewhere .
But the council is also looking at extending the bonus scheme to all 524 workers, regardless of their pay. This could cost an additional £52,750.
The council's local joint consultative committee is to consider the plans, put forward by Ashfield GMB and Unison, tomorrowWednesday.
In the meeting's agenda, which has been leaked to the Post, Ashfield GMB and Unison wrote: "Indeed the council could afford to pay £250 to all staff in recognition of their hard work to upkeep the level of services during difficult times.
"Employees have now suffered three years of no pay rise, and with inflation taken into account during this period, real comparable earnings have decreased by approximately 13 per cent.
"Many lower paid employees are likely to be affected by any cuts in working tax credits and other benefit payments that will take place from April, 2013, (on council tax and housing benefit) and universal credit from Oct 2013."
The meeting will take place in the council chamber at the civic centre in Urban Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
