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Tories call for 20 per cent cut in council allowances
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date online: 02 September 2010
LOCAL Conservatives are threatening to name and shame any councillor that rejects a 20 per cent cut in their allowance.
The average allowance for a councillor in Oldham in 2008-9 was £13,900, with Lib-Dem leader Howard Sykes on £26,850.
Kashif Ali, spokesman for the Oldham East and Saddleworth Conservatives, said: “If evidence was needed on allowances being ridiculously high, this is shown by donations councillors make to their parties once they receive their allowances.
“For example, in 2008 Oldham’s Liberal Democrat councillors donated £28,500 effectively from their allowances to their party. It is pretty scandalous and appalling.
“It’s an allowance in order to meet the financial costs of being a councillor. If local political parties are asking for donations to meet the running costs of the said party, then it should not be from the taxpayer.”
Oldham East and Saddleworth Conservatives have launched an online petition at www.cut-councillors-allowances.com
Comments
Barros, I see were you are coming from, it is funny that suddenly that this Kashif Ali guy starts sending things into the paper, one minute he is standing for election and loses, coming third and then vanishes into the wilderness. Hey up it looks like there might be a by-election and who re-appears but Mr Ali, what has he been doing since May? I have not had any leaflets or heard anything until now; he must be an election time only politician…just like Mr Woolas, the UKIP and BNP,
Either the Conservative party within Oldham don't talk to each other, or Kashif Ali doesn't have a clue what's going on - there again it could be a mixture of the two!
As reported in the Chronicle on 21 July, Labour Group leader Jim McMahon proposed, and subsequently moved, a 10% reduction in allowances, which was defeated by the ConDemn coalition. I think Con leader Cllr Jack Hulme described it as 'political opportunism' at the time.
Perhaps the two Con members should talk!
'Cash'if Ali should know better; Oldham's ConDemolition is based upon who gets what in allowances. I don't remember any reports of discussions on policy when the Tories decided to join with the Liberals. It was all about pay, position and power.
The Tory group has five members; the Labour group has twenty-seven. The Tory group has one member on the Cabinet; the Labour Group has none. So much for proportional representation and a 'council of all the talents'. Don't make me laugh.
what Alice doesn't remember is that the only councillors who had an increase in their allowances this year were the Labour shadow cabinet. Their allowance DOUBLED.
Also it may be worth reiterating that the published list of allowances are all BEFORE TAX & NI etc, which takes a fair wack out
Many of our public services are being asked to find cuts of 40% (a far cry from Camerons "who couldn't find a 1% saving" at election time), so why are councillors only proposing a 20% reduction in their allowances? If they want to feel the pain like every other department this should be the full 40% not half measures!
What is all this nonsense from Tory Kashif Ali, the Labour Group on the Council proposed a 10% cut in allowances in July. But Lo and Behold Tory Leader Jack Hulme and his wife side with the Lib/Dems and voted it down. Now Kashif Ali states on Conservative headed notepaper that it is Tory policy to cut allowances by 20%. Do I take it that the local Tories now have no confidence in their Leader Jack Hulme? Bring back laugh a minute John Hudson as Leader at least he did vote to cut allowances.
So Cllr Sykes gets £26,000? Councillors need money to live on just like the rest of us. If it's true the council is the biggest organisation in Oldham and he is like the chairman of the board it is not high. In companies you hear of huge pay for people like that. I wouldn't mind £26,000 but I wouldn't want his responsibilities and I bet the snipers wouldn't take it on either.
I think the others have got it right - It looks like election time again.
A good councillor earns his allowances. A good councillor that is
they should get no perks. simple! they get enough in wages.
wasteful jaunts rarely show any constructive results.
we have yet to see anything from the worsley marriot do!
Oldhamproud reminds Alice that the only councillors whose allowances increased were the shadow cabinet members. Oldhamproud should be reminded that this was with cross-party agreement and was in recognition that their payment is still peanuts and in no way reflects their workload, regardless of their political allegiance.
Have Your Say
As I have said before some one is convinced that a bye election is on the way soon, if he is elected will he give a guarantee that he will take a 20% cut in what he receives I think not using his proposals any one who is paid by any Government body (tax payers money) should not be allowed to spend any money as they choose just in case their money eventually reaches any political group inc Trade unions?
By Barros @ 02/09/2010 12:11:35