North Cumbrian councillors have voted overwhelmingly in favour of an increase in allowances of almost 20 per cent.
The decision was taken in Carlisle Civic Centre on Tuesday at a sometimes-heated meeting of Cumberland Council.
It means that allowances, which will be backdated to the beginning of April, will provide a £14,500 basic yearly rate for every councillor.
In addition, there will be a range of additional allowances for special responsibilities, rising to an additional £24,650 for the leader of the council, at a total cost of £968,523.
The recommendations came from the Independent Remuneration Panel whose chairwoman, Monica Law, gave a presentation ahead of councillors’ debate.
Cumberland was compared with a number of similar local authorities and it was aimed that, by providing a reasonable allowance to members, it would attract a range of people to the council which more representative of the communities who they represented and not just those who could afford it.
Ms Law said: “We have circulated questionnaires and invited members to address the panel. We received 10 written responses and met with 17 members during May and June.
“We also received invaluable information from officers including benchmarking comparisons of approximately 30 councils across England.
“We also had access to the Local Government Association Census of Councillors which estimated that councillors undertake on average 22 hours per week on council business. In addition, we referred to information in the council constitution and the council plan.”
Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent), the leader of the Independent Group, proposed an amendment to the proposed allowances and said the rates outlined in the report went ‘against the interests of the people that we represent’. He added: “We should be setting a good example in these austere times.”
Councillor Stephen Stoddart (Moss Bay and Moorclose, Independent) agreed and said: “I don’t think it’s a good time to be increasing councillors’ allowances.”
Councillor Lisa Brown (Currock, Labour), who as the deputy leader introduced the increased allowances, questioned the figures Cllr Betton had proposed and said: “It doesn’t translate in 2023 and it’s a really important issue.”
Cllr Betton stuck by his proposed amendment and repeated: “It’s very, very, important in these austere times we all should be setting an example.”
When his amendment was put to the vote it was overwhelmingly rejected with 37 councillors against the motion and only two in favour with two abstentions.
Councillor Lucy Patrick (Harraby South, Labour) said she felt it was important that councillors were able to carry out their work and added: “We need to have democracy.”
She added that if members felt the increased rates were not needed they did not have to take the allowance and added: “I support the scheme”.
Councillor Mike Hawkins (Mirehouse, Labour) said he was the only representative in his ward – where there used to be a total of five – which led to an increased workload.
Cllr Brown said: “This is not an easy decision for anybody to make. Also, much will be made of it politically.”
She said that the proposed recommendations were put forward by an independent body and added: “Westmorland & Furness next door have two councillors per ward and we are left with just one.”
Council leader Mark Fryer (St John’s and Great Clifton, Labour), agreed that it was probably the most difficult decision they would have to make and added: “It should have been sorted out before we took over. Voting for your own allowances is always a pretty uncomfortable space.
“What I don’t want to do with this council is turn it into the domain of people that can afford to come here.”
Cllr Fryer said councillors should be representative of their communities and not be limited to the ‘pale, male and stale’ stereotype.
When members voted on the proposals 31 were in favour, 10 were against and there were two abstentions.
