Cornwall councillors 'should get 34% pay rise', says panel
Chief Reporter
Allowances for the 123 Cornwall councillors should be increased by 34% to £16,200 a year, an independent panel has recommended.
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Cornwall Council
Fresh from ousting leader Alec Robertson this week, councillors will vote on the proposed bumper pay package at next week's meeting of the full council.
A detailed report showed the recommended increase would take the amount spent on basic allowances to a little under £2 million – an "unfunded budget pressure" of more than £500,000 which would require other savings to be made.
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The paper by the council's "independent remuneration panel" said the award, and a suggestion that members could carry out their duties in 25 hours a week, "will encourage younger people, with families and existing financial pressures, to stand for election to Cornwall Council."
It added: "the basic allowance recommended represents a fairly significant increase" but said it "properly reflects the nature of the commitment required and the full scope of member responsibilities".
Any increase in allowances is likely to be highly controversial with the council making multi-million cuts to services and shedding staff.
And Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, warned people would feel "badly let down" if councillors approved the deal.
He added: "The last thing hard-pressed Cornish families would deserve is for their elected representatives to prioritise their own allowances and expenses above the provision of front-line services."
Comments
by rachel3189
Sunday, October 21 2012, 9:41PM
“This is wrong on so many levels .
They should b ashames of them selfs for even thinkin this
its not even like they have to live of this money or anything
wat they get in allowances some of us only get that to live
On a year . They shhould b well an truely ashamed of thier selves”
by localmum27
Sunday, October 21 2012, 7:29PM
“£16,200 a year for 25 hours work? The Queen has just advertised a position for a general housemaid, endless duties (of actual, real work) 40 hours a week, pay £273 per week (that's just over £14 thousand a year) less board and lodging. When will Cornwall Council stop apeing the MPs and get real? Shame on them! Outrageous!”
by josdave
Sunday, October 21 2012, 6:35PM
“Not only do we have too many councillors, far more per head of population than any other county, but they are already paid too much. When those of us who pay their wages get a real rise in income but even then they should earn it as this is the worst council I have come across,”
by rachel3189
Sunday, October 21 2012, 2:12AM
“EU_BLUES . i couldnt agree with u more
U got it in one”
by rachel3189
Sunday, October 21 2012, 2:09AM
“Its a laugh they wanna put money into their own pocket they don't
Earn it they say ppl claimin council tax would ave to pay up to 33% of it
These ppl there targetin cant afford ti put food on the table . Heat their house
But theyd happly take money of use to line there own pocket
Once again the rich lookin after the rich”
by John1000
Saturday, October 20 2012, 8:43PM
“Wel maybe if they vote for the shared services deal with BT some of the savings can fund this increase !”
by dee_2
Saturday, October 20 2012, 7:52PM
“A pay rise when the rest of the county is seeing job losses and incomes fall? What a joke. As already stated, if they're not happy with the current level of remuneration, resign.
But also a joke is RegennotDegen's idea that: "Many of us who run their own businesses would love to become more involved with the decision making.... " You bet they would. There's too much of the old 'undeclared interest' in decision making already.”
by JeremyBadger
Saturday, October 20 2012, 3:15PM
“I agree that they should get decent renumeration for what they do, however the number of councillors should be reduced to compensate, lets have a reduction of 34% in the number of councillors at the next election in May.”
by Regennotdegen
Saturday, October 20 2012, 1:07PM
“123 is too many Councillors and although I can understand why no one would want to pay them more money the basic premise that it would encourage more people to stand is a good one.
In my opinion many of those who are standing for election are too old or out of touch with reality to represent the majority of their constituents.
Those that aren't are "professional politicians" who don't listen to us either just toe the party line (whichever is the flavour of the day in some cases) to hang onto their cushy numbers.
Many of us who run their own businesses would love to become more involved with the decision making but just cannot take time out from running a business and dealing with families etc without it costing us to employ others to take our duties on.
So, cut the numbers and use the money saved to pay those who remain a better allowance.
Simple.”
by eu_blues
Saturday, October 20 2012, 12:29PM
“Allowances for the 123 Cornwall councillors should be increased by 34% to £16,200 a year, an independent panel has recommended.
Who is this "independent panel"? With austerity measures beginning to bite and more taxpayers being robbed by government, this once again dmonstrates the highly corrupt council system we have. SACK THE LOT!
The biggest criminals are in councils and government.”