MEMBERS of Stoke Parish Council should be paid an allowance for the work they do.

Councillor Athol Deakin is calling for parish councillors to be paid a small amount, as he says the days of getting 'something for nothing are over'.

"The days of parish councils being jam-making committees are over. We work very hard and we have big budgets to deal with. We need to attract quality candidates to be councillors. I think a small financial incentive may help," he said.

But other councillors are not so keen on the idea.

Cllr Rosie Guest said: "I think we do it to be public minded and for the people of the parish. I don't think I am in favour of being paid to do that."

Cllr Elaine Sutor said: "I think councillors who do more travelling should be paid for it but I'm not keen on the idea of an allowance."

Cllr Karl Strawbridge agreed. He said: "I think we have to ask the parishioners for enough in council tax, so I wouldn't want to ask for any more money to pay us. I don't think anyone should be out of pocket through council business but I don't think we should be paid."

But he added: "Perhaps in the future if we get more powers then we could look at it again."

When Cllr Deakin was asked where the money would come from to pay the councillors he replied: "We could use the money we dish out to various groups."

He added: "The days where we would do something for nothing are over now."

Stoke Parish Council will be extended to 15 councillors when representatives from the parish of Stoke Heath come aboard.

The parish council resolved to defer the item until their next meeting on February 7.