Huntspill county councillor Mark Healey has resigned from the post of chairman of Devon and Somerset Fire Authority this week after a row about a 25% rise in allowances.
Mark Healey and his deputy Andy Boyd have stepped down after being criticised by the leaders of Devon and Somerset county councils for approving the rise.
The Fire Brigades Union said it was concerned with the loss at a time when the service was making big budget cuts.
Members approved the increase in February and, as chairman, Mr Healey cast the deciding vote.
John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, and Ken Maddock, leader of Somerset County Council, told the men they should not have approved the rise in allowances. In a statement, Mr Hart said: “I don’t think it’s right for any public body to raise its allowances when we’re asking people to accept spending cuts.”
Mr Boyd told the BBC he had done nothing wrong and that he was disappointed and felt he had made the best decision for the authority and taxpayers.
