COUNCILLORS in Luton agreed that it would be “inappropriate” for them to take a drop in pay at a meeting on Tuesday, despite a multi-million pound funding shortfall in the wake of government spending cuts.
A report from an independent panel recommended no increase in pay for 2012/2013 but suggested that “it would be inappropriate to recommend an arbitrary reduction of the basic allowance.”
The panel recognised the “level of commitment and responsibility of Luton’s councillors” and said that they offer “value for money bearing in mind the relatively low allowances paid to them.”
The panel’s report reminded councillors that either collectively or individually, they “might wish to take their own action in that regard.”
But the report was accepted and agreed by councillors without much discussion.
Only Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from the vote.
Lib Dem leader Councillor David Franks explained: “I have to point out that the Liberal Democrats are not actively supporting the motion.
“To do so would be to support the pay increase Hazel Simmons gave herself when appointed leader of the council, and we don’t.”
The basic yearly councillors allowance will stay at £7,500.
The executive leader, currently Councillor Simmons, is granted £15,000 in special responsibility allowance in addition to that £7,500 - a total of £22,500 per annum.
Executive committee members are given an extra £5,625.
Leader of the major opposition party, in Luton Borough Council’s case Lib Dem Councillor Franks, is entitled to an additional £2,500.
Councillors who head up various committees are entitled to up to £2,500 on top of the basic allowance.
A £7 per hour dependent carer’s or childcare allowance can also be claimed by elected council representatives, along with a mileage rate of 52.2p when claiming travelling expenses.
Luton Borough Council needs to make savings in excess of £43 million over the next four years, with around a third of the council workforce expected to be axed within five years.
> What do you think? Should Councillors take a voluntary page cut? Our contact details are on page 4.