Lib Dems make official call for assistant cabinet posts to be scrapped

Councillor Andy Kelly is calling for the post of assistant cabinet member to be scrapped

Lib Dem Leader Councillor Andy Kelly has called for the post of assistant cabinet members on Rochdale Borough Council to be scrapped in a meeting with an Independent Remuneration Panel, which periodically looks at councillors' allowances.

Councillor Kelly said: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to put over my opinion to an independent body. It has long been my belief that assistant cabinet members should to be scrapped. There is no need for them, they offer nothing to this council, and are a waste of money. I hope that the independent body acts on my concerns."

Councillor Irene Davidson made a similar the call to scrap the positions at the last council meeting. She asked Council Leader Richard Farnell: "Whilst I appreciate that money is tight, do you agree with me that this council has the wrong priorities?

"This council is aiming cuts at the most vulnerable whilst retaining non-jobs like assistant cabinet members, costing this council thousands.

"Would the Leader of the Council send a clear message to the people of this borough that they are on their side by axing assistant cabinet members, or at least the special responsibility allowance that goes with it?"

Councillor Farnell answered that assistant cabinet members "do a vital job on behalf of the borough".

There are currently nine assistant cabinet members on Rochdale Borough Council, costing taxpayers a total of just under £19,000 a year in extra allowances.

Asked to comment on Councillor Kelly's call to the Independent Remuneration Panel, Deputy Council Leader, Labour's Allen Brett agreed with Councillor Farnell, he said: "The workload of Cabinet Members and their assistants is increasing all the time, not least grappling with the latest £40M of government cutbacks. They are working hard to make sure front-line, essential services are protected as far as possible and spared the worst of the cuts.

"With the devolution of funding and services to Greater Manchester, they are heavily involved in making sure we get the best deal for Rochdale."

He added: "The Lib Dems have a nerve. Rochdale suffered a massive £160M of cuts under the Tory-Lib Dem coalition which has hit Rochdale and our residents hard. And their solution? Cut assistant cabinet members which will save a total of £19,000. They really are that pathetic.

"Isn't it funny they want everyone but themselves to face cuts. When the Council axed the post of Lib Dem Group Leader, along with its generous allowance, because at two members there was no longer a Lib Dem group to lead, you could hear Councillor Kelly's squeals of protest all round the Town Hall."

The Independent Remuneration Panel is expected to report back shortly.