A union leader has hit out after county councillors voted in an eight per cent hike in their annual allowance.
David Lloyd, secretary of the Kent branch of Unison, pointed out that Kent County Council had only allowed staff at the authority a one per cent pay increase this year.
"Councillors have managed to find the funding to give themselves an eight per cent increase but only gave staff a one per cent increase when they had budgeted for two per cent," he said.
"They are increasing their own expenses, but ignoring requests for a reasonable increase to staff pay."
Conservative councillors at County Hall voted in the increase on Thursday last week, which will see the basic allowance rise to £13,000. The Liberal Democrats and Labour councillors were against the increase but lost due to the Tories’ dominance of the council chamber.
Mr Lloyd added: "We have to remember that this is an allowance and many of the councillors also receive an income from their paid employment.
"Many of our workers, including schools staff, have to live on less than this as a full time wage."
Councillors’ allowances at KCC are recommended by an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and it is up to the full council whether or not to accept the panel’s proposals.
The IRP makes its recommendations every four years.
POSTED: 02/07/2009 10:30:00
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