PROSPECTIVE civic leaders for Droitwich will be hard to find if they have to continue to do the job voluntarily, a town councillor claims.

Independent councillor Claude Heeley expressed concern for the future of Droitwich Spa Town Council at their meeting last Monday. He spoke out as councillors recommended turning down a proposal for members to claim an allowance.

Town clerk Diane Malley explained an independent panel had recommended town and parish councillors should be able to claim travelling and subsistence for meetings, in accordance with district members. However, the resources committee resolved in August not to pay its councillors an allowance but suggested the full council had the final ruling. Cllr Heeley said they would have difficulty in attracting new members if this proposal went through. He reckons he spends an extra £500 on telephone calls and postage stamps through his work as a councillor.

Cllr Mike Barratt said: "You cannot claim for postage stamps - it's for mileage for meetings."

Other councillors agreed they took on the position voluntarily with the understanding they would not be paid at all. Cllr Maureen Lawley (Con-South West) said: "Surely you know when you take it on it is voluntary."

But Cllr Heeley argued: "I am talking about the people who follow us as councillors."

However, Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Gopsill (Central) reckons money isn't the reason people do not want to become councillors.

"It is not the money, it is that people aren't interested in doing something for their community," he said.

The full council decided members would not be able to claim an allowance.