Members of Lichfield District Council should have been given an increase of more than 10% in their basic allowances to “reflect the value” they add to the lives of residents, a Conservative councillor has said.
An independent remuneration panel had proposed the hike, which would have seen payments to all 47 elected members rise from £4,298 a year to £4,734, as well as bumping up the amount paid to those holding additional roles.
The recommendation was rejected after a vote at a meeting of the local authority yesterday (12th July).
But Cllr Ashley Yeates, member for Mease Valley, said the increase would have reflected the commitment given my councillors across the district.
“I know the time, hard work and devotion that goes in and is sometimes overlooked, but it’s also appreciated by many residents.
“While we get an allowance, we are all still aware the cost of living is constantly rising, no more so than now – so any help towards our costs is very welcome.
“One councillor told me they attend over 20 parish council meetings each year – that’s a lot of petrol for which we don’t get expenses. And this is just one cost.
“This is the kind of commitment all of our councillors give.
“I’m grateful this report recommends our allowances should be adjusted to reflect the value we add to residents’ lives in this district.”
Cllr Ashley Yeates, Lichfield District Council
But Cllr Joanne Grange, independent member for Chadsmead, told the meeting any increase would be inappropriate given the challenges facing residents.
“I think the point about parish councils is a red herring – it has nothing to do with this council.
“We are in a cost of living crisis. We know food bank usage is going through the roof and residents are struggling to pay their fuel bills.
“To even think about raising our allowances at this time is just wrong.
“We should not even be having this debate.”
Cllr Joanne Grange, Lichfield District Council
The only thing you’ve added to my life Cllr. Yeates is a blue plastic bag, which wasn’t wanted and was certainly not value for money. Well done to those councillors that rejected the proposed increase.
But Cllr Grange did not support Labour’s proposal to freeze Council Tax earlier this year.
To be fair to councillor Yeates I believe he was only making the point that district councillors who represent a rural area are expected to attend parish council meetings – and that could be two or three different Parish Councils, possibly taking up to three hours each time plus follow up actions – which is not part of the consideration but adds to the workload.
It was not a red herring – just information. A red herring is where you say no increase should be discussed when it is a Council’s duty to respond to an independent report that it has to receive evry few years.
But Cllr Grange did not support Labour’s proposal to freeze Council Tax earlier this year.
To be fair to councillor Yeates I believe he was only making the point that district councillors who represent a rural area are expected to attend parish council meetings – and that could be two or three different Parish Councils, possibly taking up to three hours each time plus follow up actions – which is not part of the consideration but adds to the workload.
It was not a red herring – just information. A red herring is where you say no increase should be discussed when it is a Council’s duty to respond to an independent report that it has to receive every few years.
So good he said it twice!
You are spot on Cllr Norman – I didn’t support the proposal to freeze council tax because we could all see that inflation was going to put more pressure on council finances. Equally I didn’t support the increase.
I’m delighted that Cllr Norman pays so much attention to what I say though and feels the need to comment on my words and not those councillors who wanted to increase their allowances. Maybe he’s be better focusing on those people who oppose his stance?
Councillors don’t often attend our parish council meetings and don’t even bother to send their apology. By the way parish councillors get no help towards their expenses.
@ Steve Norman agree with the comments regarding discussion, that is how democracy works, not just shouting the matter down and saying that it should not be discussed because I don’t personally agree nah, nah, nah, fingers in ears, stamp feet. Challenge, debate and disagreement is part of what politics is all about. This does seem to show a lack of ability to work in a colligate manner with those who you don’t agree with and a desire to demand things all you own way.
Regarding Ashley Yates perhaps if the authority was unitary his former role would have been a de-facto a full time role which may have allowed for better oversight and management of the recycling changes, which was a big project for 5 districts and clearly stretched the resources of LDC.
In terms of parish council’s IMHO that just reflects the excessive number of tiers of government.
All a bit dim politically though bringing the review in the 4th year of a 4 year term but I guess the Conservatives have reversed out of it by voting against, so it is a non issue now.
Our parish council don’t see a Councillor very often. They also don’t always send their apology. Parish councillors don’t recieve any remuneration , so they have to pay their own expenses.
Debate in the chamber is to what matter to the running of the Cll not what we should be paid. I find it disturbing the bevate in our pay lasted longer than that of what every resident pays in Cll tax .
Cllr Yeates give your head a wobble man. You brought in the blue bag fiasco, we are recycling much less cardboard now.
You’ve added zero value to our household.
Typical greedy money-led Tory. And not an effective one to boot.
And am surprised at Cllr Norman’s ire at Cllr Grange here, she’s spot on.
One again, Joanne Grange is spot on.
Cllr Yeates you are clearly overpaid for your contribution to downgrading our waste collections. Good job you don’t get performance related pay, you’d be refunding the council tax payers !
Perhaps you could spell out how you have added value to residents lives, You should be doing your job for no remuneration.
@Cllr Yeates. I think about how you and the rest of the councillors impact on my daily life and how you should receive the credit you deserve.
When I am unable to get an appointment to see my GP. I am thankful that you have all allowed so many homes to be built.
When I go into the city centre. I love to see the boarding that we are still paying for every day, on a failed plan.
When I look in my grey bin and see all of the cardboard that I no longer recycle. I am thankful of your fantastic scheme.
When I struggle to pay my council tax, every month and my kids go without things. I feel delighted that the council have bought themselves an electric Mercedes
What a statement to come out with after the fiasco he presided over. Nobody asked you to be a Councillor so if you believe in working for the good of the community why don’t you just do it for nothing; like many thousands of volunteers across the country who pay their own expenses and probably give more time and energy than any of these Cllrs !
Yeates to be fair to him made a decent point but it’s not one anyone thinks is ok. Rob stratchen or however you spell his name in Longdon of all places seemed to be on the ball
But what is interesting is that no one locally is mentioning the PATHETIC attack on Cllr Tapper who argued against the rise by the leader of the county council Alan White, whose own authority didn’t raise their allowances, which was truly bizarre. Alan sure does have a problem with every younger tory it seems or anyone that does not think as he does. That he sits on the county as leader and tries to boss everyone on LDC is really something that should not happen.
Cllr Yeates didn’t attend parish council meetings at Hints/Canwell when he WAS a parish councillor there.