Black River, St Elizabeth - The St Elizabeth Parish Council is urging central government to bring travel upkeep allowance for parish councillors in line with that of public sector travelling officers.

A resolution, which was unanimously approved at the regular monthly meeting of the parish council in August, pointed out that while the upkeep allowance for travelling officers was set at $25,000 monthly, the approved rate for parish councillors was $8,333.34 (eight thousand, three hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty four cents).

The resolution said the situation was a source of "hardship and embarrassment" for councillors and they were "experiencing severe difficulties in the purchasing of spare parts for the maintenance" of their vehicles.

"Be it resolved that the Office of the Prime Minister/Local Government Department takes the necessary steps to bring us in line with the approved rates paid to Travelling Officers," it said.

The resolution which was moved by Donald Simpson (JLP), councillor for the Malvern Division and seconded by Donovan Pagon (PNP), Braes River Division, has been circulated to the Association of Local Government Agencies (ALGA) and all local authorities seeking their support.

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