Daventry Councillors abandon pay rise

After an Independent Remuneration Panel recommended a 3.5% increase in expenses for Councillors for the next 12 months, they have decided in a vote last week not to accept the money.

Clearly sensitive to the approaching local elections and heightened public reaction to MP’s expenses, the member’s allowances at Daventry District Council for the 2009/10 financial year will remain frozen at the 2008/09 level.

Whilst Councillors do not receive any wages as such for being councillors unlike elected MP’s, they are entitled under the current allowances system, a basic allowance. This is paid to Councillors every year to acknowledge and compensate for the time devoted to Council work and cover any incidental costs occurred in their duties.

In the press statement published on Daventry Councils own website they said that, ”Due to the current financial challenges being faced by the Council and the economic climate affecting the country, members voted to change the previously agreed rise of 3.5% to 0% at the Annual Council Meeting on Thursday, May 14.”

Pictured is Council Leader, Daventry District Council (West Haddon & Guilsborough) Chris Miller.