LIBERAL Democrats at Warrington are outraged at proposed Town Hall shake-up which they claim would give special allowance payments to almost four out of five Labour councillors.
The Labour Group is putting forward a proposal to the next council meeting on September 10 to reorganise the way the executive board works by creating a new committee structure – something they have been considering behind the scenes since before March last year.
Lib Dem leader Ian Marks (pictured) said: “We are amazed that the Labour Group can consider giving 32 out of their 41 councillors these special allowances in the current economic climate. 
“At a time when staff are not getting pay increases and the Labour group is pushing through cuts that by their own admission will impact some of the most vulnerable members of our society, it is outrageous.
“We are sympathetic to a change in the way the council is run if it enables backbenchers and opposition parties to be more involved.
“The executive board model was brought in by a Labour Government and we are pleased that the Coalition Government is now allowing more flexibility and local freedom to change.
“But the Labour Group should take the opportunity to save some money – not give a pay increase to their own by the back-door.”
Cllr Marks said his group would need to see the proposals in full before commenting in detail. Reverting to a committee system had merit, but it was doubtful if it could sit side-by-side with an executive board.
“It is one or the other, not a fudged compromise.”
Leader of the council Terry O’Neill announced a review of the present executive board structure and committee system at the annual meeting of the council in May last year. The review started in the July.
According to confidential papers leaked to Warrington-Worldwide the proposals were “parked up” ahead of the council elections in May.
Labour say the changes will lead to improved, quicker and more streamlined decision-making.
They claim all members of the council will be included in policy and decision making.
Policy will be developed through a committee system involving all members from the outset.
In March this year, the size of the new executive board remained to be settled. But now the proposal seems to be for a board consisting of the council leader, the deputy leader and seven portfolio holders – a reduction of one on the current board. But there will also be four policy committees, each dealing with different aspects of council service, plus a scrutiny committee.
Five “lead portfolio holders” are named – councillors Colin Froggatt, Pat Wright, Kate Hannon, Russ Bowden and Hitesh Patel.
Although the proposals aim to be cost neutral, they provide for 32 special responsibility allowances – subject to the independent remuneration panel which already oversees councillors’ allowances.
Fury over councillors' back door pay rises
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
6 Comments
Noses a little bit deeper into the trough. When money is tight guess who is at the front of the queue.
It would seem that this council are repeating what they did when previously in power and didn’t learn the lesson.
Back to spend, spend spend, whilst hitting the communities. What a sad bunch.
Good to see the Labour snakes leaking information to the opposition and press again. I wonder which one it is this time – perhaps we can have a sweepstake
Perhaps it’s someone who genuinely believes in these hard pressed times, with job and financial cuts considered essential, that those who act on our behalf should shoulder their part of the overall burden of the big society.It has been said often enough that we’re all in this together? Maybe it would have been more acceptable if for the need for and amounts of these “responsibility allowances” had been discussed and decided upon more openly and responsibly, rather than announced as a fait accompli?
Maybe its just me, but Ian Marks says they will have to wait for the proposals before commenting in detail but then comments anyway. This just looks like a non-story and I am surprised that WWW has touched it to be honest. “A leaked document”? How convenient! Who even knows what it is about, when it is from or even if it is about a final proposal? Why believe Marks anyway? Why is he even still leading the Lib Dems after three disastrous elections? This just smacks of desperation. Message to Marks: “Stay calm and carry on”. Message to the Labour snakes (I like that phrase, cuckoo!): “Get a life”
It is about time that WVBC went back to the Committee Structure – it can’t happen too soon. This will return decision making to the democratic process and allow residents a say in those deicisions. HOWEVER, in implementing this process the CABINET SYSTEM HAS GOT TO GO!!!