Allowances come under spotlight

INCREASE . . . Councillor Jack Hulme

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.