ESSEX councillors could have their right to free hot meals removed, but are set to benefit from a £600 rise in their annual allowance.

Members are currently entitled to free food from County Hall whenever they attend on official business, regardless of how long they stay for.

But an independent report, which will be voted on today, recommends they should only be entitled to a meal when they attend a full council meeting.

In July, the Echo revealed councillors had claimed for £16,000 worth of food in the past year, with 69 out of 79 members claiming at least once.

Rodney Bass, councillor responsible for highways, was the single largest claimant, eating £808.37 worth of food in the 12-month period.

Members can choose from a selection of food, hot and cold drinks at the County Hall restaurant, and even return for second helpings.

Although meal claims are set to be scrapped, the basic annual allowance for councillors will increase from £11,500 to £12,112 to reflect a rise in living costs.

But extra money paid to councillors with extra responsibilities – such as council leader David Finch, cabinet members and their deputies – will be scaled back.

Ray Howard, councillor for Canvey West and deputy cabinet member for highways, claimed £598 for meals in 2014/15.

He said: “Times have changed and I understand that. When I started my public life, we didn’t get any allowances. The whole system is as it is today and as long as we are guided by our independent panel, we will stick with that.”

Raising the basic allowance will cost £908,400 per year for the authority’s 75 councillors, compared to £862,500 currently.

But cuts to other allowances, including leading councillors, committee chairmen and opposition leaders, will reduce the overall allowance spend slightly, from £1.543million to £1.504million.

Kerry Smith, independent councillor for Basildon Westley Heights, is one of ten councillors who did not claim for food last year.

He has also indicated he will refuse the proposed increase in allowances.

Mr Smith said: “Itis definitely a positive step changing the food system. I can’t accept a four per cent increase in allowances when there are nurses in my ward at Basildon Hospital who are not getting that kind of raise.”

Bass: 'It was the easiest way of doing it'

THE councillor who lodged the highest meal claim in the county last year has backed the recommendation.

Rodney Bass, Tory councillor responsible for highways, said: “I shall be supporting the Conservative group notion on the review recommendation.

“The main thing we agree is that the so-called free meals should be abolished.

“We hope to retain a meal service but we will pay and it will no longer be included under travel and subsistence claims.”

He said the change followed an independent review and a “number of councils” now exclude free meals.

He said: “I have never claimed travel and subsistence from the council and I drive all over the county, so I may now have to reconsider that, but I’m not particularly fussed about it.

“I’m active as a member of the county council, I’m in County Hall most days, I do a hell of a lot of work.

“While the facility was there to be had, it was the easiest way of doing it, but I’m very happy to pay for it.

“The only thing that sticks in the gullet is we are increasing the basic allowance and some councillors do precious little for their allowance, but that’s a matter for their conscience.”

He claimed the £40,000 savings would be “peanuts” for the council, saying he would additionally not accept the basic allowance raise of £600.

He said: “It could be even greater savings.

“The cabinet members will not be accepting the rise and will not be over the life of this council.

“It will be an example to other councillors.

“People resent that some of us are working between 10 and 12 hours, on county council business and having meals without paying for it, if that’s the case, we have abolished the custom.”