Council leaders set for huge pay hike

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies (right) says proposals to pay council leaders up to 50 per cent more under a new cabinet system are “insensitive” at a time when residents face severe cuts to services.

 

Powys County Council will switch from a ruling board of 15 to a cabinet style of governance consisting of 10 members next month, but it has been revealed that those kept in place will be quids in.

 

The leaders allowance alone could climb by £7,800 to £24,092 while the other nine executive members could be pocketing an annual allowance of £13,675 per year, up from the current £9,775. This is in addition to the basic allowance of £11,925 which all councillors already receive.

 

The Council says the hikes compensate for the added workload.

 

But disappointed Mr Davies commented: “It seems that any saving that would arise to taxpayers as a result of there being five less executive councillors is being shared out amongst themselves rather than ploughed into services. Such an increase seems insensitive at a time when public sector workers are having their pay frozen and there are cuts to services.”

 

Councillor Tony Thomas, who is responsible for finance, said the council would be asked to approve a redistribution of the special responsibility allowances that would see a rise in some “to reflect the increased responsibilities and workload the executive changes will bring but one that is still well below the panel's maximum recommended rate”.

 

He added that the total cost of allowances to council tax payers will only increase fractionally.

 

The plans will be voted on by the full Powys Council on April 28 and Mr Davies has urged residents to let their local county councillor know how they should vote.