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Councillors' allowances 2007-08
Date published: 30/05/2008
Rochdale Council has published details of allowances paid to councillors in the twelve months ending 31 March.
Topping the table is Council leader and leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Alan Taylor who received £29,808, former Labour leader, and now ex councillor, Allen Brett claimed £17,520 and the leader of the Conservatives, Councillor Ashley Dearnley received £16,404 (see 'download' below for a full breakdown of all councillors' allowances).
The basic allowance is the same level for all members and councils may, if they choose, pay allowances for special responsibilities. It is for local authorities to decide the levels of all the categories of allowance they pay.
The basic allowance paid to all Rochdale Council members during 2007/08 was £7,458. Some councillors with special responsibilities are also entitled to additional allowances to cover extra duties. Special responsibilities include being Leader of the Council or of one of the political groups, being a chairman or vice-chairman of a committee, or for taking lead responsibility for dealing with particular areas of work.
Malcolm Allan of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Members Allowances said allowances are compared with the average earnings of residents in the borough and with those of other councillors in the region: "We use a formula to calculate the allowances which we regularly review against this data and against the duties of councillors and the time they spend on council business."
Have Your Say
Agreed! It is evident we get the quality of councillor we pay (or do not pay) for.
The days when we could afford torely on ood old British amateurism and altruism are long gone.
It really is time the pretence of part-time 'volunteers' was buried. Being a councillor these days is a full-time job with serious responsibility. It should be recognised as such and renumerated accordingly.
By Journeaux @ 30/05/2008 02:45:21
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