Councillors' allowances frozen as Council reverses decision on increase

At the Full Council meeting of 23 October, a report was presented by the Independent Remuneration Panel on the subject of the allowance that Cornwall Councillors are paid. Currently, the basic allowance is £12,100 per annum. The Panel recommended that the allowance be increased to £16,200 p.a. with effect from the start of the new Council in May 2013.

During the debate, various views were expressed by councillors, some supporting the increase to £16,200, some saying the current allowance should be frozen. I spoke against any increase in the allowance. A proposal was then put for an increase to an intermediate figure of £14,600. I voted against it. The majority vote supported an increase to £14,600. After that meeting, I pledged that, if I am re-elected in May 2013, I would not accept any basic allowance greater than the current level.

At the Full Council meeting of 12 February 2013, a new motion was put forward to rescind the previous decision and to freeze the basic councillor allowance at its current level. The motion was passed.

So, we are now back where we were in the first place!

February 2013