Liberal Democrats to force another vote on councilllors' allowance rise

Councillor Irene Davidson and Councillor Andy Kelly

Rochdale Liberal Democrats say they will attempt to force a vote on freezing councillors' allowances at Wednesday's annual budget meeting.

Councillors Andy Kelly and Irene Davidson claim that their 'alternative' budget will "protect the most vulnerable, ease the council tax rise for the poorest whilst putting in an extra £500,000 sorting pot-holes on top of the £1,000,000 pledged by the Council". They have also promised to "sort out the council staff sickness problems that has contributed to over £5,000,000 a year being spent by the council on agency staff".

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Robert McLean said: "First and foremost our budget is an opportunity for councillors to vote against the rise in councillors' allowances. Our budget freezes councillors' pay.

"Councillors from both Labour and the Conservatives have been shocked by the backlash from residents after they voted themselves a 34% pay rise. This is an opportunity to right that wrong and send a clear message that they are not in this for the money.

"Residents clearly back our stance, over 1,600 people have signed an online petition.

"In our budget we have gone further... many of their [councillors] perks will go if we get our way. No more free refreshments, we're axing pay for jobs that many councillors simply don't carry out and getting rid of some of their spin doctors. This is a budget takes money out of the pockets of councillors and helps those most indeed."

Councillor Andy Kelly said: "Everyone know that finances at the Council are tight but we feel our budget is fair and responsible. We have worked through our proposals with council staff and they have stated that it is a 'legal, balanced budget' that can be implemented for the next financial year.

"Council Tax payers in this borough face a 4.99% rise from next year. It's the maximum allowed without holding a full public referendum. 3% of this is to fund social care, 1.99% will go into council coffers and help pay for the pay rise for councillors. We will will cap council tax rises at 3% for anyone living in houses in bands A, B and C. That way, we help the poorest across the Borough. I don't think that either Labour nor the Conservatives can argue with that. They have a clear choice, it's their pay rise or help for our poorest."

The Liberal Democrats say they aim to "get to grips with absence caused by staff sickness at the Council". Currently the average number of days a council employee has off sick per year is 7.62. This is one of the highest in the country and the Lib Dems aim to work with senior management to "cut this significantly". The say "the amount of sickness at the Council has contributed significantly to a £5.5m agency bill - nearly £2m more than neighbouring Oldham Council".

Former Council Leader, Councillor Irene Davidson said: "This is a common sense budget that aims to put residents' first. For too long, there has been a sense of entitlement amongst many councillors. Not only would we scrap the rise, we would cut the number of cabinet members from nine to seven and scrap allowances for assistant cabinet members and the leader of the opposition's allowance amongst other things. These are 'non-jobs' and scrapping the salary is a sensible move.

"We have also concerns that the Council is still paying out too much in compensation to people affected by the poor state of our roads. [The Council] has paid out £1.9m in the last five years, including over £300,000 in just eight months to January. It is for that reason we will invest an £500,000 extra on top of the £1m already pledged to fix our broken roads and reduce the compensation bill."