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Last Update: 2 June, 2008 9:38 AM

01 April 2009
MAYOR STEPS IN TO QUELL ROW

Wales News
Author: Gary Baker

Councillor Bill Routley asked whether it was possible to have a report made on who claims luncheon vouchers among the authority's elected members.

Cllr Routley asked: "Can we undertake a root and branch report about who is claiming luncheon vouchers and who has claimed them in the last 24 months?"

As quick as a flash when Cllr Routley sat down, up jumped Labour opposition leader Bob Bright asking why the questioning councillor was making accusations to which the Stow Hill member said he wasn't doing anything of the sort.

But authority leader Matthew Evans defended his Conservative colleague as he agreed to commission the report, saying: "There was no suggestions of inappropriateness. It's a quite reasonable question."

Voices were raised loudly as colourful language echoed around the council chamber until the Mayor himself stepped in and blasted: "It's getting disgusting how you are acting here. I think some of you must be on overtime given the time you want to spend in here.

"Let's get the job done properly today. The people out there (of Newport) want us to work for them and, at the moment, we are not."

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