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# Lib Dem councillor says he will not back “totally inappropriate” proposal to increase allowances
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lib-dem-councillor-says-he-will-not-back-totally-inappropriate-proposal-to-increase-allowances/
- Published: 2022-07-11T06:59:11.000Z
- Updated: 2022-07-11T07:00:07.000Z
- Description: A Lib Dem councillor says he will not back a “totally inappropriate” increase on allowances of more than 10%.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:11, News

A Lib Dem councillor says he will not back a “totally inappropriate” increase on allowances of more than 10%.

An independent remuneration panel has put forward the recommendation which is expected to be discussed at a Lichfield District Council meeting this week.

If approved, it would see the current basic allowance rate of £4,298 a year rise to £4,734, while some special responsibility allowances for those holding senior posts would also go up.

Cllr Paul Ray, who represents the Chadsmead ward, has joined independent members [Cllr Joanne Grange](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/independent-councillor-says-plan-to-increase-allowances-is-just-wrong/) and [Cllr Alastair Little](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/independent-councillor-says-basic-allowance-should-have-been-reduced/) in saying he would not back the recommendation.

> “I will not be voting to support this increase and the other proposed increases.  
>  
> “At a time when the Government is suggesting public sector pay awards at 3% or 4% and the council’s finances are under pressure these increases are totally inappropriate – and I will not be supporting them.”  
>  
> Cllr Paul Ray, Lichfield District Council

The panel said that the increase could have been even higher had it backed calls from some of those who put forward representations [suggesting councillors should receive enough to live on](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/report-reveals-calls-were-made-for-allowances-to-increase-in-order-to-give-councillors-enough-to-live-on/).

Cllr Ray said elected representatives needed to recognise the situation facing many residents when considering whether to back the changes to allowances or not.

> “The report recommending the increases has been prepared by a body external to the council and councillors do not have to accept the recommendations.  
>  
> “I know some other councillors have publicly said that they do not support the increases and I urge all other councillors to vote them down.   
>  
> “The proposed increases in the amount councillors get paid at the time of a national cost of living crisis is just not right and something I will not be voting for.  
>  
> “If other councillors vote the increase through I will donating my increase to local charities.”  
>  
> Cllr Paul Ray, Lichfield District Council