As reported in the Western Mail today the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales is consulting on the contents of a report which would result in the current maximum basic salary for Councillors being cut by 5% and senior salaries by 10%.
The panel previously set a maximum allowance, with councils free to set their own levels. Many Councils set levels below the recommended maximum allowance. RCT Council did not – resulting in Russell Roberts becoming the highest paid Councillor in Wales.
He will now face a pay cut of around £5000 a year. Many of the employees who have had their terms and conditions reviewed by this Labour led Council may feel this is poetic justice.
And there may be another blow for Russell who tops up his salary currently to the tune of some £20K+ is also the Chair of the South Wales Police Authority. Now the Police Authority is, strangely, not mentioned in the report but the panel states
Whilst the Panel recognises that senior councillors bring a wealth of experience to the other bodies they serve on, we consider that councillors who serve their councils in full-time positions do not have sufficient time to undertake such additional duties with other bodies. We regard the remuneration they receive with National Park and Fire & Rescue Authorities as “double-payments” and have taken the view, which we expound in this Report, that such responsibilities should not be additionally remunerated.”“In previous reports we have identified those local authority councillor positions which we regard as full-time, specifically leaders and executive members, and have set their remuneration levels accordingly. In our recent consultations with National Park Authorities and Fire & Rescue Authorities we have found that some senior councillors also sit as members on these Authorities, with some also holding positions of responsibility, which until now have not been remunerated.
Whilst the Panel recognises that senior councillors bring a wealth of experience to the other bodies they serve on, we consider that councillors who serve their councils in full-time positions do not have sufficient time to undertake such additional duties with other bodies. We regard the remuneration they receive with National Park and Fire & Rescue Authorities as “double-payments” and have taken the view, which we expound in this Report, that such responsibilities should not be additionally remunerated.”“In previous reports we have identified those local authority councillor positions which we regard as full-time, specifically leaders and executive members, and have set their remuneration levels accordingly. In our recent consultations with National Park Authorities and Fire & Rescue Authorities we have found that some senior councillors also sit as members on these Authorities, with some also holding positions of responsibility, which until now have not been remunerated.
Now surely the Police Authority should come into the same bracket – in fact we will undoubtedly be making this point when we submit the RCT Welsh Lib Dem response to the consultation.
It is a point we have made time and time again. The salary for the Council Leader is for a full time post. If he is not doing that role full time then there should be some claw back.
It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Labour group when this is discussed at the next Council meeting.
2 comments:
If your cllrs in RCT cared so much about this why accept the full allownace then?
Also why did they vote against the increase in 2010 & the took the rise?
Some valid points but you still take the money when on offer
If your cllrs in RCT cared so much about this why accept the full allownace then?
Also why did they vote against the increase in 2010 & the took the rise?
Some valid points but you still take the money when on offer
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