The Opposition PSOE, whilst not against the proposed 20% reduction in money paid to Councillors for attending plenary sessions of the Council, believes that the ruling PP is, in effect, extracting the Michael and they have tabled a motion to amend the proposal.
Councillors receive €102 for attending the regular full council meetings, which last on average around six hours, and the savings resulting from the 20% austerity measures amount to around €10,800.
Members of the government team receive €168.30 for attending meetings of the Nerja Government, these meetings lasting roughly one hour.
In 2008, there were 27 such meetings. Up until September 2009, there were 39 such meetings, an increase off 44%. This translates to an annual increase of around €18,800. Not much of a spending cut.
The PSOE proposal is to limit the number of meetings of the Nerja Government to three per month, sufficient they believe to address local issues although there would be leeway for the odd extra meeting in exceptional circumstances.
Given the absolute majority of the PP, however, it would appear highly unlikely that this proposal will be approved.