North Yorkshire Councillors have voted to award themselves “a real terms pay cut” after being warned any increase would be dimly viewed by people struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis.
Following a robust debate at County Hall in Northallerton a strong majority of North Yorkshire Council members approved the recommendation of an Independent Remuneration Panel to increase their annual basic allowances by £1,500 to £17,000.
Councillors also passed an increase of two per cent for members with special responsibilities at the Conservative-led authority.
The Liberal Democrat group voted against the proposals, as did a handful of other opposition members.
A report to the full council meeting stated the panel considered that councillors are not remunerated as employees and their allowance reflect “the
considerable time commitment required for the proper and conscientious fulfilment of duties”.
The panel’s recommendation also took into account reconfiguration of local government in North Yorkshire and the effect that the overall reduction in councillors, from 319 to 90, has had on the workload of those elected to the unitary authority that was launched in April.
Some councillors had called for there to be no increase at all, but others including Green councillor Andy Brown say it's important the role is accessible to more people.
Liberal Democrat councillor Felicity Cunliffe Lister told the meeting she wouldn't support the increase.
Independent Malton councillor Lindsay Burr also felt that approving any increase in the current economic climate was not acceptable.
The authority’s leader Councillor Carl Les said the panel’s recommendations had been generated from the evidence provided by 23 elected members about their workload following the launch of the unitary authority in April.
Future of Scarborough Town Hall Hangs in Balance Ahead of Crucial Property Decision
The Scarborough Buildings North Yorkshire Council Could Buy and Sell
Yorkshire Coast Camper Van Consultation Outcome
Scarborough Teacher Takes On London Marathon To Support YMCA
Scarborough and Whitby Harbours Hope To Be Turbo-Charged By Renewables Funding
NFU and Police Warning After Rising Attacks On Sheep In Yorkshire
Woman Fined After Her Waste Was Fly-Tipped In East Riding Countryside
Scarborough Athletic Held In Six Pointer But Stay In Top Seven
"Pathetic"- Whitby Town Crumble To Defeat To Ten Men
Brid Rugby Table Topping Bid Ends In Thriller
Bridlington Town Held Despite Batty Belter
Pickering Town Back To Winning Ways
Comments
Add a comment