Councillors braced to cut own allowances

At a full council meeting this afternoon councillors will discuss a report by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) reviewing members’ allowances.

Chairman of the IRP, Keith Marriott, will recommend that the basic allowance rate for all members is reduced by around five per cent from £12,715 to £12,000 a year from April 1.

The Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said: “Doncaster’s allowances are certainly at the higher end when compared to a number of other local authorities.

“I’m not here to gain from financial reward having already taken a pay cut and have no regrets about that.

“Given the cost cutting times that we live in, everyone, including councillors, is faced with having to make sacrifices and I hope members will accept the proposed recommendations which are more than reasonable.”

Other details in report include changes to the payment of special responsibility allowances to members.

It also recommends that councillors independently fund the cost of a council car parking permit or bus travel pass.

Cllr Sandra Holland, leader of the Labour group added: “Labour councillors have already voluntarily frozen their allowances for the last year.

“Labour councillors work extremely hard representing their constituents motivated by public service and not financial reward. 

“However in these times of cuts we must and will make sacrifices along with everyone else.”

A decision will be made at the meeting at 2pm at the Mansion House at 2pm.

The report can be viewed at www.doncaster.gov.uk/fullcouncil.