Maidstone’s new Green councillor has expressed outrage at an ‘obscene’ rise in councillor’s allowances pushed through at the Council’s Annual Meeting. The huge increases in special allowances and a basic 8% rise will cost Maidstone £124,000, money that now cannot be spent on services for local people.
Cllr Stuart Jeffery: “At a time when people are struggling to put food on the table or to keep their homes warm, councillors awarding themselves such an eye watering pay rise is obscene.
“A few months ago the council cut the Park and Ride services because it said it couldn’t afford a similar amount. This week they awarded an unfunded pay rise while the rest of the Borough struggles.
“I was proud to interrupt the supposedly ceremonial meeting where this contentious proposal was going to be pushed through. Sadly the Conservatives and their friends still allowed the proposal to pass.”
Notes:
– Webcast of meeting (see 1:33:31 to 1:41:56) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au1qzgJosH0
– Council papers here: https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/council-and-democracy/primary-areas/your-councillors?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGbWVldGluZ3MubWFpZHN0b25lLmdvdi51ayUyRmllTGlzdERvY3VtZW50cy5hc3B4JTNGQ0lkJTNEMTUxJTI2TUlkJTNENDc2MSUyNlZlciUzRDQmYWxsPTE%3D
– Stuart’s speech here: http://stuartjeffery.net/huge-rise-in-councillor-allowances-passed-by-maidstone-borough-council/