A Bedford Borough Councillor has defended an increase in the allowance paid to Bedford Borough councillors, calling it “a small cut” in the net value over the last four years, and lower than the rate of inflation.
During this week’s (11 October) full council meeting, councillors voted to approve (with an amendment) the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) recommendations on their allowance.
Cllr Ben Foley (Green, Greyfriars) said: “I note that a lot of the councillors who spoke up against increases in the meeting earlier on in the year are not speaking up against them at this stage.
“I said at that stage that it was appropriate the councillors were given an increase.”
Councillor Foley was first elected in 2019, and if the basic allowance paid then had tracked the Bank of England consumer price index (CPI) it would now be £12,700.
The basic allowance recommended by the IRP is £11,080.
“So in effect, this is proposing that councillors have a small cut in the net value of their allowances over the last four years, ” Cllr Foley said.
“Given that the principles that we were asking the panel to work on included the principle of fair remuneration that the basic allowance should encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds, with a wide range of skills, to serve as local councillors.
“And those who participate in and contribute to the democratic process should not suffer unreasonable financial disadvantage as a result of doing so.
“I continue with my position that it is appropriate for these allowances to be to be increased.
“It is all very well for councillors who are relatively well off financially to say, ‘Oh, I don’t need it myself’. Well, they are perfectly free to donate that money to local charities.
“But for councillors who do actually need such an allowance to be part of this council, it is important that such increases are made.
“And like I say, the increase is less than the rate of inflation in any case,” Cllr Foley said.
“We don’t have the money”
The council’s chief executive, Laura Church, said: “The report sets out that there is no change to the method of calculation of the allowances.
“But that does mean that there are some changes to the level that they are set,” she said.
However, cllr Marc Frost (Conservative, Wixams & Wilstead) was not comfortable with the raise.
“Sitting here listening to this evening’s debates, we don’t have any money, we’ve got budget overspends, we’ve got financial deficits, we’re borrowing money,” he said.
“And now we’re talking about paying ourselves more money, I’m not sure that tallies,” he said.
It was agreed by members in February to defer this report until after the local elections in May.
Councillors are not employees, but to recognise the time they spend on council-related activities, including meetings, the borough council pays them an allowance.
A special responsibility allowance is also paid to councillors who hold a position with additional responsibility, for example, a member of the Executive or a chair of a committee.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
