Outcry over Rotherham councillors' allowances

Michael Sylvester says latest figures show that councillors in Rotherham take £4.38 from every man, woman and child for their allowances and expenses, while the cost to Sheffield residents is £2.40 per person.

The recently published figures for the last financial year show that Rotherham’s 63 councillors claimed £1.1 million while Sheffield’s 84 Councillors claimed £1.3 million — an average of £17,561 per council member in Rotherham and £15,812 in Sheffield.

Mr Sylvester said: “In an age of austerity, Rotherham councillors should explain why they need to claim over £1,500 more each than our Sheffield neighbours.

“Rotherham has a more generous set of allowances and could save nearly £116,000 tomorrow by simply cutting what councillors get to the same level as Sheffield. 

“This in its own would help save jobs and services, especially with the proposals to close libraries in the town.

“We need to seriously think about reducing the number of councillors we have in Rotherham and cutting to the same representation as Sheffield residents have would mean getting rid of 24 councillors. 

“This would save in the region of £500,000 per year and until they look at seriously reducing the cost of councillors in the town we must be sceptical that protecting jobs and services is a priority for local politicians.”

Rotherham Borough Council chiefs defended the payments.

Jacqueline Collins, the council’s director of legal and democratic services, said: “Members allowances are set at levels that take full account of recommendations made and reviewed by an independent remuneration panel.

“The allowances are given in recognition of the time and commitment councillors give, including meetings with officers and constituents, many of which take place during unsociable hours.

“The allowances are also intended to cover incidental costs such as the use of members’ homes.

“Under the council’s scheme, allowances were increased each year in line with inflation until 2011 when members did not receive any increase.

“Instead, they took a 1.15 per cent pay cut in line with a similar reduction in staff pay for that year.

“Elected members agreed that they should continue this reduction in their allowances during 2012.”