MEMBER ALLOWANCES REVIEW CONSULTATION - WHAT DO YOU THINK?

3.49.38pm GMT Thu 27th Jan 2005

Allowances Review - Tell Us What YOU Think!

The current KCC allowances scheme for County Councillors (or Members) is under review. There are currently two types of allowances paid:

1. Basic Allowance of £11,330 pa, paid to all 84 Councillors.

2. Special Responsibility Allowances totalling £600,000 (£600K) are paid to Councillors holding additional roles, such as chairing committees, or a place on the Cabinet.

KCC's Independent Remuneration Panel is undertaking consultation on their plans to adjust the allowances paid after 2005 County Council elections in May. They have invited views from the political groups on the question set out in their consultation paper 'Kent County Council Member Remuneration Panel Allowances Review Consultation'. The 4-page paper is published in the 'Reports and Information' Section of this website.

The Panel is asking for views on making SRA payments (which currently total £600K) payable only to Members of the ruling political party. The only exception to this would be a single payment to the Leader of the largest opposition political group, currently the Labour Party. At present 14 members of the opposition parties receive SRA's, totalling £160,000, whilst 33 Conservative Members are paid a total of £438,000.

Trudy Dean, the Leader of KCC's Lib Dem Group says " Since more people in Kent voted for parties other than the Conservative Party at the last County elections, I wonder whether Kent voters will be happy that their Council Tax is being spent almost exclusively supporting Conservative Councillors. It is a recipe for one party government".

What do you think? The allowances are paid for by the Council Taxpayers of Kent. The Lib Dem Group believes therefore, that the Council Taxpayers of Kent should have the opportunity to state their views.

If you have an opinion on the allowances paid to County Councillors, please contact the Kent Lib Dem Group before Friday 11 February 2005, when there is a meeting to discuss the consultation paper. You can contact us by:

By writing to: The Liberal Democrat Office, KCC, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.

By phoning: 01622 694239, or faxing: 01622 694219

By email: libdem@kent.gov.uk.

We look forward to receiving your opinions / comments or questions.

Related Link:

'Kent County Council Member Remuneration Panel Allowances Review Consultation' 4-page Paper.