By Vivienne Russell | 10 January 2013
The chair of the Commons communities and local government committee has hit back at Tory accusations that its call for a review of councillors’ allowances is a ‘cynical and sleazy’ attempt to boost Labour Party coffers.
The cross-party select committee today issued a report concluding that the level of allowances paid to councillors deterred many people from standing for election. It recommended that councils be given powers to transfer decisions about rates to independent local bodies.
‘Few councillors will vote themselves higher allowances even if there is a legitimate reason for doing so, because it provokes so much controversy,’ said Clive Betts, the committee’s Labour chair.
‘It would be inconsistent for Parliament to deny councils the option it has chosen for the determination of its own pay and conditions.’ But the Conservative Party seized on Betts’ remarks, highlighting Labour Party rules that require a proportion of Labour councillors’ allowances to be diverted to the party.
Conservative Party chair Grant Shapps said: ‘This is a cynical and sleazy move by the Labour Party, given their party rules dock the taxpayer-funded allowances of Labour Party councillors. Local taxpayers will be shocked to learn that Labour Party will be quids in from Labour demands for more taxpayers’ money to be spent on councillor allowances.’
Local government minister Brandon Lewis added that higher councillor allowances would be a ‘recipe for higher council tax’.
He said: ‘As a former councillor myself, I appreciate and value their hard work. Councillors should be praised for their public service on behalf of their local community, but they are fundamentally volunteers, not salaried town hall staff.’
Responding to the Tory criticisms, Betts stressed that the committee had take evidence from councillors representing all three main parties. There was a consensus that councils were reluctant to vote for increases in allowances for fear of a negative public response.
‘I am saddened by the reaction of Brandon Lewis and Grant Shapps, who have stoked this negativity and undermined a serious concern of councillors from their own party,’ Betts said.
‘What the committee did not say was that there should be a blanket increase in allowances. Indeed, we agreed with Brandon Lewis that these matters should be determined locally. For the health of local democracy, it is important that this issue does not become a national political football.’
Other recommendations in the committee’s report were for greater officer support for councillors to help them manage their casework and for employers to help them support employees with councillor duties.
It also raised concerns about the training councillors received and said both political parties and local authorities should put in place measures to support councillor performance. They should also run ‘taster sessions’ to give people an idea of what being a councillor is like.
The chair of the Commons communities and local government committee has hit back at Tory accusations that its call for a review of councillors’ allowances is a ‘cynical and sleazy’ attempt to boost Labour Party coffers.
The cross-party select committee today issued a report concluding that the level of allowances paid to councillors deterred many people from standing for election. It recommended that councils be given powers to transfer decisions about rates to independent local bodies.‘Few councillors will vote themselves higher allowances even if there is a legitimate reason for doing so, because it provokes so much controversy,’ said Clive Betts, the committee’s Labour chair.
‘It would be inconsistent for Parliament to deny councils the option it has chosen for the determination of its own pay and conditions.’ But the Conservative Party seized on Betts’ remarks, highlighting Labour Party rules that require a proportion of Labour councillors’ allowances to be diverted to the party.
Conservative Party chair Grant Shapps said: ‘This is a cynical and sleazy move by the Labour Party, given their party rules dock the taxpayer-funded allowances of Labour Party councillors. Local taxpayers will be shocked to learn that Labour Party will be quids in from Labour demands for more taxpayers’ money to be spent on councillor allowances.’
Local government minister Brandon Lewis added that higher councillor allowances would be a ‘recipe for higher council tax’.
He said: ‘As a former councillor myself, I appreciate and value their hard work. Councillors should be praised for their public service on behalf of their local community, but they are fundamentally volunteers, not salaried town hall staff.’
Responding to the Tory criticisms, Betts stressed that the committee had take evidence from councillors representing all three main parties. There was a consensus that councils were reluctant to vote for increases in allowances for fear of a negative public response.
‘I am saddened by the reaction of Brandon Lewis and Grant Shapps, who have stoked this negativity and undermined a serious concern of councillors from their own party,’ Betts said.
‘What the committee did not say was that there should be a blanket increase in allowances. Indeed, we agreed with Brandon Lewis that these matters should be determined locally. For the health of local democracy, it is important that this issue does not become a national political football.’
Other recommendations in the committee’s report were for greater officer support for councillors to help them manage their casework and for employers to help them support employees with councillor duties.
It also raised concerns about the training councillors received and said both political parties and local authorities should put in place measures to support councillor performance. They should also run ‘taster sessions’ to give people an idea of what being a councillor is like.
