LIKE an early Christmas, city councillors in Worcester finally caved in to the repeated wishes of an independent body this week and opted to take 5.2% allowance rises.

These rates may remain pretty underwhelming and even scant compared to some other authorities but The Source wonders if, regrettably, it may be time to call in the percentage police again.

It was 2010 the last time they opted to ‘up’ the allowances in Worcester, but the hike that year was 5.7 per cent.

This week’s events mean they’ve managed to increase it virtually 11 per cent in five years – and inflation is now negative.

Trebles and fatter turkeys all round!

* KEEPING on the festive theme, councils have been told to expect details of their grant funding settlements for next year on December 23 - proving yet again that someone within Whitehall has a real sense of humour.

“It will warm the hearts of our accountancy team, they were wondering what to do on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day,” says Adrian Hardman, wryly.

* WORCESTERSHIRE County Council’s chief executive Clare Marchant has produced her yearly Annual Report and decided to put cricket star Moeen Ali on the cover – but they don’t fear the beard at County Hall.

“I must admit, my knowledge of cricket is not extensive, that’s the polite way to put it,” she says.

* FOR those still keeping tabs on the county council’s messy Babcock saga, Lib Dem Fran Oborski contacted a high-ranking officer the other day to ask if she could see the ‘key performance indicators’ – basically what is being asked of the private company under the all important five- year contract.

The response? That it couldn’t possibly be shared as it was ‘commercially sensitive’.

Not ANOTHER miscommunication!

* COUNTY Hall’s Labour group leader Peter McDonald, who often makes Ken Livingstone look calm and reserved, revealed yesterday how he drives an electric car.

Does he keep on turning to the left?