"Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu felt that the pricing of residential stands was very high for an ordinary councillor. "The remuneration and working conditions for councillors were highly inadequate. It was essential to appraise the Ministry of the inadequate welfare and financial challenges currently faced by councillors," Ndlovu said, according to the report.Councillor Melisa Mabeza subsequently requested the Mayor's office and Town Clerk to investigate the matter and report back to council.Mayor David Coltart supported the proposal and asked Mahlangu to provide further information before any decision was made.According to the report, Coltart said it would be premature to involve the ministry before council had gathered more information and made comparisons.Council's Valuation and Estates Manager told councillors that the existing US$30 per square metre charge had been set in line with prevailing prices charged by private developers.The official said council had already responded to the councillors' earlier appeal by reducing the rate from US$30 to US$27 per square metre, bringing the price of a 600-square-metre stand to approximately US$16 000. "The current charges of US$30 per square metre done by private developers was in line with council policy. Councillors had appealed and it was agreed to revise the charges to US$27 per square metre," the report states.The Acting Chamber Secretary reportedly cautioned that the issue needed to be handled carefully to avoid perceptions of abuse of office, particularly because the same stand pricing applied to other residents.The Town Clerk advised councillors that they could submit suggestions and recommendations to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works regarding a possible review of stand prices.The ministry would then consider the request and provide guidance.The debate comes as the Government continues to tighten oversight of councillors' conditions of service, with local authorities expected to obtain approval for benefits and allowances and avoid arrangements that could place an additional financial burden on ratepayers.For the Bulawayo councillors, however, the issue has become a question of affordability, with the elected officials arguing that the cost of residential land remains beyond their reach even after the existing concession.