Lib Dems welcome move towards volunteer town crier, but warn against excessive cost

10.26.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Nov 2007

Lib Dems want a proposed town crier role in Kettering to be performed by volunteers

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed moves towards a volunteer town crier, but have warned against the prospect of spending excessive amounts of taxpayers money on the position in the future, after Lib Dem campaigner Chris Nelson spoke against employing someone to perform the role at a meeting of Kettering Borough Council.

The meeting, of the Executive Committee of the Conservative-run authority, considered the proposal to reintroduce a town crier for Kettering and surrounding towns and decided to discuss the use of volunteers with the Kettering Chamber of Commerce. The committee, however, declined to give an assurance that this would not become a paid appointment.

Speaking after the meeting, Lib Dem spokesperson Chris Nelson commented:"I am pleased that the Conservatives have agreed that it is preferable that this position is carried out by volunteers and welcome the decision to look into this. Liberal Democrats have not been opposed in principle to the idea of a town crier, but merely want to make sure that the costs are reasonable at a time when next year's government grants are likely to produce shortfalls.

"I am, however, disappointed that the Cabinet has not provided the assurance that I asked for that if this does not work then this will not then become a paid appointment of the Council. With the likelihood of the next council tax rise being above the rate of inflation it is crucial that the Conservatives keep the level of waste to a minimum, so that we can continue to protect more crucial services like council bus passes for the disabled and the elderly."

ENDS