The York Press: Councillors’ pay row erupts again

By Gavin Aitchison

Proposals for a massive pay rise for City of York councillors have drawn further criticism.

York Green Party leader Andy D'Agorne says the pay for Labour's shadow executive members should be cut, to fund any increase in councillors' basic allowance.

The Labour group was condemned after the May elections for blocking moves for a "rainbow coalition" - a cross-party alliance - to run the city.

Coun D'Agorne said: "If they (Labour allowances) were removed altogether there would be more incentive for Labour to take part in an all-party executive for the city, rather than just opposing difficult choices made by the ruling group."

His comments directly contrast those by Labour leader David Scott, who said the shadow executive payments should more closely match those of the executive, to reflect the hung nature of the council.

As reported in The Press on Thursday, an independent remuneration panel has proposed a 41 per cent increase in councillors' basic allowance, with further increases for those with special responsibilities.

The recommendations were condemned by council employees' trade union Unison, and by the TaxPayers' Alliance.

Council leader Steve Galloway said he would not take any rise in pay, but said younger councillors with family commitments were entitled to an increase.

Coun D'Agorne said: "I have an issue with the inflated rates payable to chairs of committees - why should a chair of an ad hoc scrutiny committee be paid as much as the Conservative leader and more than double that of the Green group leader?"

He also voiced concern over proposals to make allowances pensionable, saying: "By reducing my college hours by one day a week to give me time to attend council meetings, I currently lose out on 20 per cent of my pension contribution.

"I don't think it helps anyone for councillors to have to sacrifice part of their pension or their career to be an effective councillor."

He said shadow executive allowances should be cut to pay for at least some of the proposed increase in basic allowances, and said scrapping them altogether would encourage Labour to join an all-party coalition.

He said: "It is important to stress these recommendations will have to be subject to debate as part of the budget process if any additional amount is to be made available from council tax to pay for any increases."

Coun D'Agorne's Conservative counterpart, Coun Ian Gillies, said: "The council has a statutory duty to look at allowances every four years and it's out for consultation at the moment.

"We will be commenting accordingly in due course. I cannot say if we will be supporting it."