WAVERLEY councillors were accused this week of having their "noses in the trough" when it comes to claiming expenses.
At a committee meeting on Tuesday, chairman of the independent remuneration panel which looked into Waverley allowances and expenses, Michael Clark, levelled the accusation at a number of councillors that do the "smallest amount of work they can get away with".
His criticism came after the leader of Waverley's Lib Dem opposition party, Chris Slyfied, commented that the panel's report implied each councillor's nose was in the trough.
Outraged members of the leisure overview and scrutiny committee fired back at Mr Clark, by claiming they should receive even more cash to compensate for the time they put into their role and to encourage members of the public to become councillors themselves.
These claims were made in spite of the report's recommendation that councillors should receive an average increase in their allowance of an inflation-busting 20 per cent, more than 10 times the rate of the rise in the cost of living.
The report also said they should be able to claim an Inland Revenue allowance to help pay for housework and gardening, as well as a free laptop or computer.
As the tension at the meeting mounted, calls were also made by councillor for Haslemere South, Ann Mugford, and councillor for Farnham Castle, Duncan Steel, for a special allowance to be given to the deputy leader of the council and to chairmen of the area development control committees responsible for planning matters.
But Mr Clark, who headed the expenses review, carried out earlier this year, said his comments had been made on the back of direct feedback from the councillors themselves.
"You and your colleagues have submitted the information on which our report is based and you can choose to take it on board or reject it," said a patient Mr Clark.
Mr Clark continued: "I suspect that some councillors have taken advantage of the system and do have their noses in the trough."
He then reminded councillors that their work for the borough should be regarded as voluntary.
An angry Maureen Nyazai, councillor for Godalming South East, said the report should be thrown out.
Mrs Nyazai then commented: "Even if some councillors do have their noses in the troughs, these troughs are empty!"
Councillor for Haslemere North and Grayswood, James Mackie, then called into question the report's statement that all councillors receive a free laptop or computer, as well as a free line rental and internet charges.
Mr Mackie said: "When I requested a computer I was told by the officers that there were none left for distribution. I have never been offered a computer or laptop by the council."
It seems, replied Mrs Nyazai, that there was a first and second class society in the chamber, where some councillors receive all and others receive nothing.
The committee unanimously agreed to recommend to Waverley's decision-making executive committee that the basic annual allowance for councillors be increased to £3,000 and the matter of special allowances for the deputy leader of the council, currently Pat Frost, and area development control committees be considered.
The executive meets on Tuesday.