MP applauds council leader for stance on allowances

MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, has backed calls by East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader Councillor Steve Parnaby O.B.E., to freeze councillors’ allowances.

Following news public sector pay would be frozen for at least two years, Councillor Parnaby stated that it is only right that elected members of the council should also forgo any rise in their allowances.

Graham Stuart MP in a press statement said:

“I absolutely agree with Cllr Parnaby that this is the right thing to do. It will show residents that councillors understand the pain which has been forced on the council as it faces budget cuts of around £30 million. These are tough times. The sorry financial legacy left by 13 years of Labour is hitting everyone so I hope the rest of the elected members of the East Riding council support the leader and also vote not to increase councillor allowances.”

However, Andrew Allison, organiser of the Hull and East Riding Tax Payers Alliance, stated on the organisation's Blog:

"Although the council leader, Stephen Parnaby has said  there will be a freeze on allowances next year (an election year), this compares very badly to Hull City Council where councillors have been on a pay freeze for the last four years."

A councillor receives a basic allowance of £10,711 a year. Members of the council cabinet get £13,897 a year and those with other ‘special responsibilities’ receive additional allowances:

• Leader of the Council and Leader of the Conservative Group £34,572
• Deputy Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group £25,929
• Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group £13,897
• Leader of the Labour Group £3,474
• Leader of the Independent Group £3,474
• Planning Committee Chairman £11,301

See Members' Allowances on the East Riding Council website.