Advertisement
Allowances come under spotlight
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 16 July 2010
COUNCILLORS’ basic allowances will stay at £8,950 next week — if Oldham Council agrees to a 12-month freeze.
But some “special responsibility” payments could go up or down.
Wednesday’s full council meeting will hear that allowances have been reviewed by the Independent Remuneration Panel.
There will also be a further review in 2011 in light of public spending cuts.
The main change is for the leader of the minority opposition party — the Conservatives’ Jack Hulme — who gets a 5 per cent increase to £4,028.
Councillor Hulme and his group of three more councillors joined a coalition with the Liberal Democrats to form an administration after the May elections left no party in overall control.
He has also taken a major Cabinet role dealing with children and families, including the troubled BSF school rebuilding plans.
Council leader Howard Sykes (£26,850), his deputy Jackie Stanton (£17,453), the main opposition leader Jim McMahon (£13,425) and Cabinet members’ allowances (£13,425) remain unchanged.
But community champions face a 5 per cent cut in their allowances to £3,222 while the opposition’s shadow Cabinet members get a 5 per cent increase to £2,685.
Vice-chairmen of overview and scrutiny groups also get a 1.5 per cent cut, to £1,343.
And the allowance for anyone who acts as a carer will be increased from seven-and-a-half to 10 hours a week, at minimum wage.
Comments
Why have the expenses not been reduced all over.And we are talking about BASIC ALLOWANCES what about all the other allowances they will be feeding on, while making people redundant
How can Cllr Hulme receive an increase as the leader of the minority group when he's in coalition with the Lib Dems and therefore holds power? Who does he vote with?
There's certainly no Tory group as such in Oldham to be the minority Party.
His role is now tantamount to being a member of the controlling group, and he should come under the same Rules as every other councillor.
£13,425 = £1,100 a month, about £260 a week, 30-40minute Cabinet meeting every two weeks = 15-20 min's a week.
Nothing weak (ly) about this amount of money.
& they don't ebven answer letters.
Never mind tghe bankers, look at the politicians. Not surprised about the Parliamentary expenses racket, most of them started in local gov't
Local Government has seen more and more of its responsibilities taken away in recent years. Add to that the situation where non-Cabinet councillors have been reduced to a monitoring and commenting role and one is forced to ask just what most of them can do. It's not their fault and I appreciate they have case work in addition. Less time spent in pointless meetings and more evening meetings would enable people who work to become councillors more easily.
With 8000 (apx) electors in each ward each of a persons three ward councillors costs £1.12 a year. That's not a bad retainer for someone you can lobby 24/7/52 and if they aren't any good you can sack them after 4 years.
Responsibility allowances are another matter and I find a 5% rise for the Tory group leader a bit rich to take in the light of the public spending cut backs his lot are imposing nationally. A reward for going into a coalition with Sykes? But surely "do as I say not do as I do"
JMTS someone you can lobby, well in my ward the councillor can't speak plain english, and there is no chance of sacking him
Get rid of all 'Special responsibility Allowances' and save nearly £500,000 per year. Frankly not many of the 60 councillors are worth even the basic allowance. Time to bring the gravu train to a halt.
I wouldn't give them 8,950 washers never mind pounds!
No wonder Hulme is grinning, he has already had his thirty pieces of silver and he has now been bribed with even more. At the same time he and Sykes are distancing themselves from their government in Westminster. Hypocrites.
Keith, do you lobby them or do you assume they won't respond? Provided your request is reasonable, you've every right to pester the life out of them. If you aren't happy with the response, complain to their Group Leader or Whip and then, if necessary go to the press and name names.
Being available 24/7/52 is something I accepted when I was there and there can't be many who didn't get a written response. I expect councillors to match, or better, the standards I set
JMTS you were very much the exception. The quality of OMBC councillor around here is poor to say the least. 'As much use as a chocolate teapot' is the usual description.They don't deserve the money they receive from us in allowances. It might not seem a lot to you but most people resent paying anything for nothing.
Red Delpher - shouldn't that be 'as much use as a chocolate fireguard'?
I think I'll run for councillor! It appears to pay!
Have Your Say
not a bad amount for doing little more than weilding a rubber stamp and enjoying a few junkets really!
By Flake @ 16/07/2010 12:28:18