‘No news’ on councillor allowances as report on overpayments delayed

Oldham council has delayed a report on how much councillors have been overpaid, after it emerged in July that their allowances had been miscalculated for the past three years.

The local authority was due to reveal the extent of the ‘administrative error’ yesterday (Wednesday, September 17). 

But a council source claims the work has taken longer than expected due to the complexity of the issue. 

The exact figure is currently unknown, with some councillors claiming to the Local Democracy Reporting Service they had reported up to three thousand pounds in overpayments, while others had been ‘repeatedly underpaid’. 

Councillor Howard Sykes, leader of the Lib Dem opposition group, has slammed the delay as ‘an embarrassment and a disgrace’.

He claims councillors had been promised a ‘plan to rectify overpayments’ by August 21.

Coun Sykes said: “There has been no news since.

"A report was promised to come to this week’s Full Council meeting but is not even listed on the agenda, never mind a report produced. 

“At first the silence was disappointing, but this is now becoming an embarrassment and disgrace. Did people not think we would notice or remember?

“People in Oldham Borough need to know that everything relating to councillors’ pay is being handled above board. 

“Now I predict this matter will rumble on unresolved for weeks more to come.

"All the while the public continues to look at the administration of Oldham Council with disgust.”

The news of the overpayments previously sparked anger in the local community. 

Sarah, an Oldham local in her forties, told the LDRS in July: “It doesn’t matter if it’s only a small amount, they need to pay it back. … It’s not fair towards normal, working class people like us.

"We wouldn’t get away with that.”

While the council did not wish to comment on the delay, a member of the administration has previously stated to the LDRS that there is ‘no question’ about the councillors paying back the money once the exact figures have been established.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.