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 £119,000 Strategy Proposed To Tackle Gull Issues In Scarborough, Whitby and Filey
Humberside Police Praise Public Dashcam Submissions Through Operation Snap
Hornsea And Driffield To Feature In 2026 Lloyds Tour Of Britain Men Route
East Riding Council Launches New Website For £100,000 Electric Vehicle Charger Project
Scarborough Athletic Announce Second Signing In Three Hours With Addition Of Mo Fadera
Scarborough Athletic Secure Signing Of Attacking Midfielder Luke Hall Ahead Of Pre-Season Opener
Scarborough And Whitby MP Raises 'Dental Desert' Crisis In Parliament
Ten New Automatic Speed Cameras To Be Installed Across East Riding This Summer
Town Meeting To Discuss £15m Scarborough Harbour Redevelopment
Saint Catherine’s Activities Coordinator Shortlisted For National Palliative Care Award
Council Drones Could Be Deployed For Coastal Monitoring
Date Set for Scarborough Town Council By-Election Following Reform Mayoress Resignation
Comments
Add a comment