North Yorkshire Councillors have voted to award themselves “a real terms pay cut” after being warned any increase would be dimly viewed by people struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis.
Following a robust debate at County Hall in Northallerton a strong majority of North Yorkshire Council members approved the recommendation of an Independent Remuneration Panel to increase their annual basic allowances by £1,500 to £17,000.
Councillors also passed an increase of two per cent for members with special responsibilities at the Conservative-led authority.
The Liberal Democrat group voted against the proposals, as did a handful of other opposition members.
A report to the full council meeting stated the panel considered that councillors are not remunerated as employees and their allowance reflect “the
considerable time commitment required for the proper and conscientious fulfilment of duties”.
The panel’s recommendation also took into account reconfiguration of local government in North Yorkshire and the effect that the overall reduction in councillors, from 319 to 90, has had on the workload of those elected to the unitary authority that was launched in April.
Some councillors had called for there to be no increase at all, but others including Green councillor Andy Brown say it's important the role is accessible to more people.
Liberal Democrat councillor Felicity Cunliffe Lister told the meeting she wouldn't support the increase.
Independent Malton councillor Lindsay Burr also felt that approving any increase in the current economic climate was not acceptable.
The authority’s leader Councillor Carl Les said the panel’s recommendations had been generated from the evidence provided by 23 elected members about their workload following the launch of the unitary authority in April.
New £15m Pier Redevelopment Plans Revealed for Scarborough
North Yorkshire Pioneers UK's First 'Natural Health Service' To Boost Wellbeing
National Coastwatch Institution Seeks Permission for Life-Saving Trailer in Filey
Concern Over Varying Standards Of Education And Funding In Scarborough And Whitby Schools
Scarborough Town Mayor 'Disappointed' by Lack of Public Toilets
Scarborough and Whitby MP Remains Cautious on Mayor's Tourism Tax Plan
Scarborough SEA LIFE Team Celebrates Wave Of Award Nominations
Scarborough And District Mencap Celebrates Dedicated Helpers For Volunteers' Week 2026
Whitby Town Re-Sign Experienced Goalkeeper Jack Norton For Third Spell
Anglo American Wants to Remove Production Restrictions from Woodsmith Mine
Scarborough And Whitby Schools Secure Share Of £450m Improvement Fund
Mayor Highlights Huge Opportunities For Scarborough's Year-Round Tourism And Investment
Comments
Add a comment