Plans to increase councillors’ allowance

Councillors in Gloucestershire look set to get a pay rise of £250 each. 

The basic allowance for county councillors is currently £10,500 but an independent remuneration panel has recommended increasing it for the next financial year.

The increase is expected to cost the taxpayer an extra £13,250 each year.

Panel chair Richard Blamey said the basic allowance should be increased but the special responsibility allowances for positions such as leader and cabinet members should remain as they are.

He told Gloucestershire County Council’s constitution committee that it would also be sensible to introduce travel allowances to encourage cycling.

To do so the council could include a cycling travel allowance in line with the mileage for motor vehicles.

However, council leader Mark Hawthorne (Con, Quedgeley) said the cycling allowance should be in line with the expenses offered to council staff.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (Lib Dem, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach) agreed that the basic allowance should increase and also supported the cycling allowance.

“I’m just a bit concerned we are still below the median,” he said.

The committee agreed to recommend the increase but the final decision on the matter will be taken by a meeting of the full council later this year.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk