WE revealed this week how Worcester City Council's politicos have refused the chance to accept hefty rises in allowances, raising a glass to the good old taxpayer.

But what Tuesday night's debate did more than anything else was discredit the utterly comical, daft, soggy and downright stupid way local authorities are expected to behave on the allowances and expenses system.

For the third year on the trot, amid scenes which make groundhog day look original, an independent bunch of bores recommended the city council's leader should get a 26 per cent allowance rise, the deputy 22 per cent and all backbenchers, five per cent.

Leader Simon Geraghty, a man more chilled than a set of ironed chinos, admitted he felt "uncomfortable" about the councillors themselves having to ultimately decide upon it, as the law states - and if the truth is told who can really blame 'em.

If I proclaimed, dear reader, that your pay would be 'considered' yearly by some nice independent chappies but you, and only you would then have to decide whether to take it or not, you'd have me carted off to the nearest loony asylum.

In fact if someone told you this should be the way public servants' monies are dished out you'd condemn them as in need of help, and quite possibly dangerous.

Why on earth we’re still doing it this way is anyone’s guess. Someone pass Eric Pickles the water.

* ON the budget, there were five Labour amendments suggested on Tuesday night and all five were carried, albeit for one year rather than the two they wanted.

There was so much listening going on, The Source wonders if the Conservative Party should be sponsored by Free Radio.

It might have a blue rosette on, but is this actually now ‘The Gregson Budget’?

* COUNCILLOR Roger Berry, a Labour veteran, suggested on Tuesday night in an absolutely classic moment that the Tories, fresh from selling off the city council's Orchard House HQ, could look to flog the Guildhall.

"You've already sold Orchard House to fund a swimming pool, what next the Guildhall?," he ranted.

Has this been filed in the little red folder alongside the Cripplegate Park sell-off?

* WILL Pryce, Worcester MP Robin Walker's campaign manager, made a rare appearance at the Guildhall this week to watch those full council events unfold, not too far from his nemesis, Labour's Richard Boorn.

There was no phlegm flying nor was there any filming, snarling, gnashing or even kissing.

Lattes all round at Costa, eh chaps.