A huge pay rise for Councillors was agreed at a meeting last night.
On average it is worth an extra 18% although some will get more. It will also be backdated. The cost to taxpayers will be around £770,000 a year.
The increases were justified by a series of, largely bogus, claims that work volumes had increased since the previous review. In reality the time commitment for Councillors is broadly in line with levels experienced since local government reorganisation in the late 1990’s. Councillors also now benefit from new technology and casework support facilities.
While Independent Councillor Mark Warters has consistently criticised the increases, two Tory Councillors – who had both attended “behind close doors” consultation meetings with the review panel during the Autumn – got cold feet at the last minute and opposed the hike.
The notes from the autumn meetings, at which Councillors made their case for an inflation busting increase, are being circulated on social media. They are quite a revelation.
Councillors don’t of course have to accept the increase. They can choose to draw down less that the maximum allowed.
We will publish the actual amounts claimed by each individual next year
Other York Council news
- Cllr Chris Culwick from Huntington will be next year’s Lord Mayor. His Sheriff will be Cllr Ashley Mason from Dringhouses & Woodthorpe
- The Autism motion was supported by the Council yesterday as were pleas for more trees to be planted in the City.
- The Council will look again at the Labour plan to ban cars from within the City Walls.