Exes should be first for the chop!

Oldham councillors’ expenses should be the first in line for the cuts called for by the new coalition Government, according to an outspoken parish councillor.

Ken Hulme, a Saddleworth parish councillor, is calling on senior members to shave a fifth off their expenses.

In 2008/9, the latest year figures are available, the 60 members of Oldham Council claimed £815,000 in expenses and allowances.

All councillors get a basic allowance of £8,500, and cabinet members also get £12,750.

Parish Councillor Hulme will ask a question at next week’s cabinet meeting, and say: “In view of the warning from the Prime Minister and his Deputy that the deepest cuts since the Second World War are about to descend on public services, with cuts of up to 20 per cent predicted, are cabinet members prepared to accept their share of the pain and take a 20 per cent reduction in the payments they receive?

“Councillors’ allowances and cabinet members in particular should be the first target for cuts.

“I am asking the cabinet to set an example and reduce their allowances by at least 20 per cent.

“In light of what David Cameron and Nick Clegg have said about the scale of job losses cuts in public services that they are proposing, it seems only fair that those at the top take their share of the pain.

“Ultimately I want to see the role of councillor reverting to being an unpaid representative of the local community — just receiving loss of earnings and out of pocket expenses. I don’t think effectively turning councillors into paid employees of the council has done anything for local democracy. “