Councillors in Cannock agree to allowance freeze

Cannock Chase Council members spoke out in November against national plans to freeze pay for many public sector workers.

And on January 20, members supported a recommendation for their 2021/22 allowances to remain at 2020 levels. The allowance freeze was agreed during a full council meeting.

Council leader George Adamson said: “It would be wrong for us to take an increase at a time when many of our staff have to take a freeze. Now is the time for a further freeze.”

The proposal was seconded by opposition group leader Councillor Olivia Lyons.

Councillors can claim a basic allowance of up to £5,706 a year, which includes £1,224 towards “consumables” such as stationery, postage and indemnity insurance for work on outside bodies.

Those with additional roles, such as chairing committees or cabinet positions, can claim one special responsibility allowance. These payments range from up to £1,282 for a shadow cabinet member to £19,403 for the council leader. There is also a Civic Allowance paid to the chairman and vice chairman of the council.

Carers' allowance

Members with caring responsibilities can claim a carers’ allowance at national minimum wage rate. There are also travel and subsistence allowances, which are the same as the rates paid to council officers, and a communications allowance of up to £400 a year to cover costs such as phone usage and broadband. These allowances will remain unchanged for the year as well.

A report from the Independent Remuneration Panel, which reviewed the members’ allowance scheme in December, said: “In deciding whether to make any change to the scheme we were particularly mindful that the Basic, Special Responsibility and Civic Allowances had been increased for the three-year period 2018 to 2021 by a combined total of 6.75 per cent (2 per cent each in years 1 and 2, and 2.75 per cent in year), in line with increases in officers’ pay for that same period.

“This was considered alongside the current economic climate of the UK as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that nationally, many MPs had spoken out against receiving a proposed increase in their salaries for 2021.

“We also looked at the feedback provided by members as part of the survey conducted in September 2020. This showed that whilst a majority of members who responded were in favour of allowances being index linked to changes in Officers’ pay rates (as per the existing arrangements), others preferred to see the rates frozen at the current levels, or in some cases, decreased.”