A decision to increase the basic allowance for councillors in Lichfield and Burntwood has been branded “morally obscene”.

Lichfield District Council’s first meeting after the election saw Conservative members back a proposal to incorporate an IT fund into the basic money representatives receive.

The move to absorb the £430 a year for computer equipment, consumables, phone lines and broadband was backed in a vote after recommendations from an independent remuneration panel that the fund needed greater accountability in the way it was managed and distributed.

Cllr Eric Drinkwater
Cllr Eric Drinkwater

But Eric Drinkwater, the Labour opposition group’s deputy leader said any rise to the basic allowance could not be justified.

“It is morally obscene to approve any raise,” he said.

“At a time when people are losing their jobs becuase of austerity – including people in this authority – any rise is obscene.”

His Labour colleague, opposition group leader Cllr Sue Woodward, had also called for a deferral on changes to the way councillors IT needs are paid for so scrutiny of the report could be carried out.

But Cllr Iain Eadie on the Conservative side of the chamber said not amalgamating the fund into the basic allowance would end up costing the local authority more.

“The fund was initially set up to reimburse expenses for IT equipment and consumables,” he said. “But as the independent remuneration panel has said, the system is flawed.

“It has become an allowance rather than an expenses-based scheme.

“Only a minority of councillors use council-supplied phones and computer systems, so supplying them to all will end up costing more. Similarly, a receipt-based method will cost more in the time spent managing the system by officers.

“It’s time to recognise that there are flaws in the system as it is and flaws in trying to keep it running.”

But Cllr Drinkwater said he did not intend to keep any additional money.

“If a rise is agreed, I will not reject it but I will recycle the payment to charity,” he said.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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DisheartenedTaxPayer
8 years ago

http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/downloads/file/5348/councillors_allowances_2012_2013_actual

I know the allowance is maximum £430.00 per councillor but in 2012-2013 on 13 Councillors claimed the full amount and 10 claimed under £100.00.

So how does paying them it all whether they need it or not, good for the council budget?

In 2012-13 we paid £17271.55 (For 56 Councillors IT Expenses) Now we have 47 District councillors Guaranteed costing us £20210.00.

As Councillor Eric has said “austerity – including people in this authority – any rise is obscene”

This also ignores the fact 2 more cabinet members (Who get Special Responsibility Allowance) cost us more too!

Might as well of kept the same amount of councillors and paid them the same with no rises.

Please someone explain the saving made on District councillors?