.......'The IRP is a group of lay people assembled by the local authority to advise on levels of allowances.'

A bunch of mates in other words...

They will only come to one conclusion and that is with a reduction in councillors,the workload has increased. So bump up the allowances,the councillors will point to other authorities and their allowances. In all the time that the IRP has been looking at allowances,have they voted against any increase.

OH and I think the chairperson is a vicar,so no doubt he will look av the proposals inbetween bumming a choir boy.