Councillors paid £680k in allowances

Councillors were paid almost £680,000 in allowances during the last financial year.

Figures published by Rochdale Council show amounts vary from as much as £26,526.03 to as low as £6,822.06

The top ten allowance payments were made to: 

• Irene Davidson (LD) - £26,526.03
• Colin Lambert (L) - £21,643.94
• Ashley Dearnley (C) - £18,296.71
• Greg Couzens (LD/IA) - £17,617.97 
• Peter Williams (L) - £16,406.13
• Jacqui Beswick (L) - £16,149.64
• Alan McCarthy (L) - £15,423 
• Jean Ashworth (LD) - £15,387.98
• Jane Gartside (C) - £15,314.66
• Dale Mulgrew (LD) - £15,266.49

The total figure paid in allowances was £678,043.41.

All local councils must pay their members a basic allowance - the same level for all members, which is intended to cover their time commitments and incidental costs. This basic allowance includes an amount to cover all travel they may incur when undertaking duties within the borough, subsistence and a contribution towards land line telephone costs.

The basic allowance paid to all Rochdale Borough Council members during 2010/11 was £7,644.

Members did not receive an increase in their allowances last year and their allowance will also be frozen this year.

Some Councillors receive a special responsibility allowance in addition to the basic allowance, for additional responsibilities.

Special responsibilities include being a member of the Cabinet, being a chair of a committee, or taking lead responsibility for dealing with particular areas of work.

Allowances are also paid by the Police, Fire and Rescue Authority, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Advisory Committee to councillors who are nominated to work with these external bodies. These allowances are paid by the respective authorities - not the council.

As the Council's representative on the Police Authority board, Councillor Pat Colclough was paid £9,370.28 to complement her £7,644 council allowance.

The total paid to councillors from external bodies in the 2009-10 financial year was: £31,227.05

Malcolm Allan of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Members Allowances said allowances are linked to the average earnings of residents in the borough and compared with those of other councillors in the region:

“We use a formula to calculate the allowances using the latest data.

"We regularly review the formula as well as the duties of councillors and the time they spend on council business.

"It’s very important that the public understands what allowances councillors receive and that we are very open and transparent about this.”

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