Polegate town councillor Andy Watkins was shocked to hear the amount of money spent on private medical insurance for Wealden District Council's employees from council tax.

Cllr Watkins said, "A number of residents who rely on the National Health Service have said to me that it is scandalous that the council is insisting it pays for district council staff to have private medical insurance when they are unable to afford it for themselves and their families.

"Liberal Democrats on the district council have always opposed providing this private insurance. A councillor's first duty is to speak up for the residents they represent and the Tories, and other councillors who vote for this year after year should be ashamed."

Councillor Chris Berry thinks the district council should stop the 'unjustified perk' immediately.

She added, "The Wealden Tories keep saying that they are unable to recruit staff if they do not offer this perk.

"It is not a benefit enjoyed by county council staff and it does not stop them recruiting and retaining good staff." 

Nigel Hannam, Wealden's director of corporate services, said, "The private medical insurance is part of an overall pay and benefits package, which we regularly compare with other public sector bodies and local authorities in the south east.

"We know from research conducted by the south east employers' organisation that 28 per cent of local authorities in the south east provide private medical insurance to their staff.

"The package helps us to recruit and retain staff. In line with best practice, we regularly review all of our pay and benefits — including the private medical insurance — and already have plans to do so over the next six months."