Coventry Conservative Leader, Cllr Kevin Foster, has set out the views of the Conservative Group on the review of Councillors Allowances ahead of an Independent Panel Meeting on 10th January 2012. In his letter to the Chair of Panel considering the future of Councillors allowances he calls for Labour proposals to introduce extra payments for Councillors to be rejected.
The current review of members allowances hit the headlines earlier this year when it was revealed that the City Council had hired a consultant at a cost of £5,000 to carry out basic administrative tasks and “liaise” with group leaders over the Panel’s recommendations. It was also discovered that the Labour Leadership of the Council has specifically asked the panel to consider introducing two new allowances for posts held by Labour Members, in addition to existing payments, on the Fostering and Adoption Panel.
Conservatives are calling on the Panel to make no recommendations for increases and to specifically review whether some allowances should be reduced or abolished.
Cllr Kevin Foster said: “In the current economic and financial climate it is impossible to justify looking at increases for Councillors when many local families face pay freezes or cuts. This review should have been set up on the basis of looking at savings that could be made, with no allowances being increased. Instead money has been wasted on a consultant, whilst the panel has been specifically asked by Labour to look at introducing new allowances for unpaid posts that their members hold.”
“In contrast the Conservative Group is making a clear statement that no increases should be considered and is asking the panel to specifically look at two allowances that should be cut or abolished. At a time when difficult choices need to be made on Council services this review should be about showing members are part of this, not telling people there is no money, whilst asking for more for themselves.”
In addition Cllr Foster has questioned a proposal from the City Council to pay those taking part in the review £125 for each meeting they attend. He said: “This is a large amount of money for attending a meeting, particularly at a time when budgets are tight. I hope the panel will agree to reject this payment or donate it to charity.”