“@Sam - So taking someone to task on falsehoods and misrepresentation 'spoils it' does it? Diddums. Would you not rather debate based on what is true rather than inaccurate political spin/lies? I'd also have no problem at all saying the same to your face.”

“It amazes me that the councillors can vote on this ! its a bit of a no brainer as regards how they would vote ! just another day in la la land !”

“Whilst I agree that senior members from all 3 parties should have been quoted and asked to justify their stance, you are being slightly disingenuous Christopher in asking for all 3 parties to be treated the same.

The fact of the matter is that the Conservative group runs the City Council, with the support of, or abstention of, the Lib Dems. The Conservatives are the only ones who could have forced through a vote to reduce remuneration levels, in the same way that they forced through the budget cuts that are taking place. They chose not to do so.The Labour group could not have forced the reduced remuneration levels through-even if every Labour Councillor had supported it. They don't have the numbers.”

“@Peter ex Normanton (sorry for confusng you with someone else), your comment "So, we are all in this together...except them! I wonder what Chris Poulter's position is on this one?"
You did not mention the fact that you know Chris Poulter, if you had mentioned this your comment I would have taken your comment in a completely different context.

My point is that because Conservative Philip Hickson is the only Councillor named in the story some people, usually people who support the Labour Party regardless, only seem able to see the Conservatives as the problem, whilst completely ignoring the Labour or Liberal Democrat groups.

As I said of Sam's comment, no mention of anyone from the other 2 parties in the story. So why not ask what Paul Bayliss thinks of this decision, after all his allowances would have also been cut - same tar and same brush! If any criticism is called for in such a situation, it should apply to all Councillors.
But as Philip Hickson says, this is not as clear cut as it appears and there are other considerations to take into account (applies to all three parties).”

“@ Christopher, I resent your comment, ¿This report is clearly biased and it has had the effect of fooling some of the gullible Labour supporters into thinking this is a Conservative decision as can be seen by Peter, Spondon, and Sam, Sinfin's comments.¿
Firstly I am Peter ex-Normanton, not Spondon, which you would have noticed if you read my post correctly. Second, I am not a Labour supporter and never likely to be. My comment about Chris Poulter is purely because he is in the same party as Phil Hickson and as I said, I wonder what his position is. I happen to know Chris and rather think he may not entirely agree!”

“@Sam, Like John says, you should have read the article before making your derogatory comment "Typical Tory", when you chose to insult a Conservative Councillor, whom you know absolutely nothing about, based on some idea that he stood alone in opposing this decision and this is somehow "typical" of a Conservative Councillor. Remember that councillors from all three parties have rejected this review, so perhaps you should have said "typical Councillors", which would have been more general and may have drawn less of a reaction? By singling out one Councillor you are bound to get such a reaction and I think you know this and that is the reason you wrote what you did.”

“John &Christopher people like you two are what spoils this little forum and why a lot of people have stopped commenting on here, you have no right to make derogatory comments about anyone on here as we are all entitled to our say or our opinion be it right or wrong, so have your say by all means but lay off the personal attacks, unless that is if you would like my address so that you can come and say them to my face.”

“@Ben why should I have mentioned Chris Williamson? I can see by your comment that you must be obsessed with and totally besotted by Chris Williamson, but he is standing down as a Councillor in May so this decision would not have affected him anyway. Please don't give yourself ulcers worrying about my opinions, I don't worry about yours and I'd hate to think that my opinions are keeping you awake at night.

As to other Councillors being named, I am referring to the above story which does NOT name any councillor other than Philip Hickson, it only says councillors from all three parties, I would therefore have to assume from this that the Independent Councillors agree to cutting the allowance, if I was gullible enough to believe so.”

“@Christopher Let's not forget about comments from Tory Leader Havey Jennings and Lib Dem Leader Hilary Jones as well. Also I am a little bit worried about you in that you haven't somehow tied this story in with Chris Williamson. We don't want your continued obsession with the Derby North MP to be lessening. I hope everything is ok?”

“Not a supprise really, hands up who wants to be paid less...... a decision affecting the council members should not be made by them but by others it doesn't affect so there is no bias. why can't we just cut the city into directional secions and have only 5 people on the council? 1 for each main direction on a compass and one to run the council and make the deciding vote?

as we are now in the age of technology i think all decisions should not be made by some elected person who has there own personal bias but any decission that needs making should be posted online for local residents to vote on if they wish to do so.”