Pagham flood defence row in council chamber

The decision was made in January to increase Pagham Parish Council's precept by 5, which would be saved for flood defences needed in the area in the future.

Councillors are now legally entitled to claim an allowance.

But the council agreed if the members wanted to donate their allowances towards the flood fund, they could do so.

And all but two have done that, which leaves the council short of more than 800 in its flood fund.

Pagham parish and Arun district councillor Dawn Hall is one of the two members proposing to withdraw her allowances.

She said: "I'm not ashamed of claiming my allowance '“ I am quite entitled to claim it. If I did not wish to donate it to the flood fund, it is my choice.

"There are a lot of people who live in Pagham who do not live near the beach, and cannot afford the extra on their council tax, with the increases in food, petrol and all the other expenses.

"It is all very well saying the increase is only the price of a pint of beer, but when you get pensioners with a fixed income, 5 makes a difference."

Parish council clerk Chris Braby said an anonymous donation has been made of more than 400 to cover the cost of one of the councillors' allowances.

He said: "They have not done anything wrong, but obviously it has caused some disappointment among other members.

"One councillor has donated an amount of money to make up for these allowances."

Parish council chairman Ray Radmall said about 14,000 a year would be saved into the flood fund because of the raised precept, and in the coming years the council and community's contribution could tip the balance in getting government funding for the flood defences.

He said: "There is now a legal option for parish councillors to draw an allowance, and it was felt this provided a sound reason for increasing the parish rate, with the understanding members would not draw the money, but allow it to be part of the flood defence allocation.

"Of the 5 local rate increase, almost 50 per cent was to be justified in this way.

"The councillors will tell you they have a legal right to do so. I find it sad I will now preside over a divided council.

"My personal pledge was the full 5 would be set aside and ring-fenced for its original purpose.

"The issue of raising the local rates, even to establish a fund for such an important issue, was something our finance committee agonised over.

"Eventually its recommendation to add 5 to the parish precept was endorsed by the full council in January 2008, with one abstention.

"Parish councillors in Pagham always carried out their responsibilities on a voluntary basis, and to some of us it is unthinkable we should levy a charge upon parish rate payers for what we do."

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