Councillors agree to allowance freeze
County councillors in Staffordshire have agreed not to increase their allowances next year in the wake of a national pay freeze for many public sector workers.
The pay freeze proposal, which affects workers on a salary of more than £24,000, was put forward as part of the Government’s Spending Review in November. It has been met with criticism by some, who have described it as a kick in the teeth for those who have worked on the front line during this year’s Covid-19 pandemic.
On Thursday at a full meeting of Staffordshire County Council elected members agreed to a freeze of their own.
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Currently county councillors can claim a basic allowance of up to £9,786.35 for the year April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
Those who have additional responsibilities, such as a cabinet role or committee chair position, can also claim a special responsibility allowance. But each member can only claim one special responsibility allowance, even if they hold more than one additional role.
Special responsibility allowances range from £1,444.45 for the vice chairs of the pensions and audit and standards committees to £37,963.14 for the leader of the council.
'Insult'
Councillor David Brookes put forward the motion that “in light of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement of a public sector pay freeze for the next financial year this council resolves that there be no increase in allowances for elected members for 2021/22.” It was seconded by fellow Conservative member Councillor Tina Clements.
Councillor Charlotte Atkins, leader of the opposition group, said Labour members would be supporting the motion, which was passed as the council considered the Government Spending Review.
But she added: “A pay freeze for our own council staff, teachers, health workers, fire and police is an insult to the frontline workers who have worked so hard to protect our communities.”
A statement by council leader Alan White said: “We are currently going through the finer details of the review to examine what the benefits to the council, to residents and to businesses may be. This is especially important given the huge strain that the Covid-19 has put on public finances this year.
“Dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and protecting lives and livelihoods has been our top priority and from the outset we have done and spent what is needed. We have already had significant financial support from Government of over £80m, which is helping us in the current year, but the future is less certain.
“The Chancellor also made it clear the ‘economic emergency’ from the pandemic ‘has only just begun’ and with this also announced a pay freeze for public sector workers outside the NHS, which is a reflection on the economic picture and certainly not on the hard work of staff such as those here at the county council.”
