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Independent Councillor for Crotlieve, Mark Gibbons has explained his income from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in an effort to be open and transparent. Cllr Gibbons receives on average £288 per week from Council and supplements this with work at the Royal Mail.
Cllr Gibbons said "Every year I give a little insight into what I receive regarding wages from the Council. It is you the public who gives us these jobs and this opportunity with each election, so it is only right that we should be open and transparent when it comes to what we receive and claim from Council. I am 1 of 42 Cllrs.
"I receive on average £288 per week from Council. I do not have any paid positions on committees and I do not sit on any highly paid Boards inside or outside of the Council."
The Councillor believes, not being on boards makes it easier for him to speak his mind on matters important to him and his constituents. "Having this approach has great benefits when it comes to speaking my mind and not having the threat of being silenced on a Board. Yet £288 doesn't pay all the bills in this day and age unfortunately. So I also have a 30hr contract with Royal Mail to help raise and support our young family the best I can."
