Lib Dems want to cut councillors allowances to fund market overhaul

The Liberal Democrats want to cut councillors’ allowances as part of a plan to generate £400,000 savings that could be ploughed into Rochdale’s struggling market.

The party will table an amendment at Wednesday night’s budget-setting meeting calling for the 34pc rise allowances voted through in 2016 to be reversed – as well as the removal of nine assistant cabinet member roles.

They also want to see an end to the trade union subsidy and cuts to the communications and agency staff budgets.

The group says the savings would pay for a £1.2m investment in ‘a permanent covered market site with basic facilities’ over the next three financial years.

Councillor Andy Kelly, leader of Rochdale’s Liberal Democrat group, said: “Our amendment to the administration budget reflects the concerns that members of the public and traders have not only about the state of the market, but also the overall town centre offer.”

He added: “Although the Liberal Democrat proposals are modest when compared to the financial challenge faced by Rochdale council, they do nonetheless achieve real savings that can be put back into providing a market facility in the town.

“It’s not something that will change overnight either, the council needs to slowly rebuild the market’s reputation instead of ignoring what is going on.”

The biggest saving in the proposals – which have been reviewed by the council’s chief finance officer – is the £173,000 sum that would be found from reversing the most recent rise in councillors’ allowances.

Councillor Kelly – who represents Milnrow and Newhey – says this increase ‘still smarts’ with the public, particularly given the cuts visited on other service areas.

However, Rochdale Council’s Labour leader Allen Brett accused the Liberal Democrats of playing political games.

He said: “They have never engaged in any meaningful dialogue, the only time Councillor Kelly seems to decide to do anything if when it comes to budget, he is not interested in being positive, he only wants to make headlines.

“He does it all the time on things like the green belt strategy, he doesn’t want to engage and has never once engaged all year.”

Citing the lack of progress in plans to reduce the number of councillors – the basis on which the Tories supported the last allowances rise – Councillor Kelly added: “I don’t have any great faith in the current administration.”

The Liberal Democrats proposals would save £104,700 by ending the trade union subsidy and £25,900 through removing the nine assistant cabinet member roles (which are paid special responsibility allowances).

Reducing the communications budget by 5.5pc and the agency staff budget by 5pc would save £29,400 and £67,000 respectively.

Rochdale Council’s budget setting meeting will be held at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday night from 6pm.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter