Conservative Cabinet to cost you more

3.58.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 12th May 2007

The first decision of the new Conservative administration has been to pay themselves more.

The Conservatives have increased the size of the all-powerful cabinet from seven to nine, doubling how much those two Councillors are paid, and costing residents more than £60,000 over the next four years.

This follows four years of claims by the Conservatives that the Lib Dems had done the same thing, when in actual fact under the Lib Dems, the Cabinet was the same size as the previous Tory administration until April 2005, and then cut in size from nine to seven.

'The Conservatives spent four years attacking the Lib Dems for something we didn't do,' says Lib Dem Councillor Claire Smith, and Education Cabinet Member until May 3rd.

'They get into power, and then do exactly what they claimed we'd done. It's pure hypocrisy.

'After putting up Council Tax 50% last time, the Conservatives have been running the town for a week and are already costing Bournemouth more.

'Residents will be expecting them to deliver more.'

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The Cabinet, when first formed by the Conservatives in March 2002, consisted nine members:

• Leader

• Deputy Leader

• Member without portfolio

• Strengthening our Economy Cabinet Member

• Caring for People Cabinet Member

• Sustaining our Environment Cabinet Member

• Developing Communities and Tackling Crime Cabinet Member

• Quality Services and Value for Money Cabinet Member

• Education and Life Long Learning Cabinet Member

From April 5th 2005 to May 3rd 2007, the Cabinet consisted seven members:

• Council Leader

• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources

• Community & Culture Cabinet Member

• Environment & Leisure Cabinet Member

• Housing & Adult Services Cabinet Member

• Strategic Development & Transport Cabinet Member

On May 11th 2007, the Conservatives announced their 'top team' of nine:

• Leader of the Council

• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources

• Economy & Tourism Cabinet Member

• Environment & Transport Cabinet Member

• Communications Cabinet Member

• Adult Services Cabinet Member

• Education & Children's Services Cabinet Member

• Housing & Procurement Cabinet Member

• Community Cabinet Member