Dan Peters 08 May 2014

Council defends 'obscene' allowance hikes

Surrey County Council has pointed to its members’ increased workloads in its defence of ‘obscene’ hikes to their allowances.

Campaign manager at the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA) pressure group, Andy Silvester, said councillors who voted through the rises should ‘hang their heads in shame’ after they backed a 59% increase in their leader’s special responsibility allowance from £27,000 to £43,000.

The TPA said every special responsibility allowance rise was above the amount proposed by the independent remuneration panel.

Mr Silvester said: ‘When the council is having to find £72m in savings this year, Surrey residents will be staggered that their elected representatives felt it appropriate to increase their own allowances like this.

Council tax has been raised three years running because civic leaders claim they are short of cash and staff have, of course, been subject to a pay freeze, yet councillors have found this additional money for themselves.

‘These rises are nothing short of obscene and demonstrate a very skewed sense of priorities for those running County Hall.

‘Surrey taxpayers have every right to feel badly let down.’

A council spokeswoman said: ‘The Government has given county councils 42 new responsibilities since 2010 and these have increased the workload for the cabinet and other senior councillors.

‘There has been no review of allowances for four years and while that was the right thing to do at the time it is now important that they are adjusted to reflect increases in roles and responsibilities.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £47754
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the As Bicester
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Homes, Communities & Environment

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Strategy, People & Transformation

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner