| Topic: | Re:Re:Local debates on the Keens and MPs expenses scandal | |
| Posted by: | Andrew Dakers | |
| Date/Time: | 04/07/09 22:15:00 |
| Robin My views on councillors' allowances have long been in the public domain: "Whilst we have always supported increased remuneration for councillors what we do not support are part time Exec members taking full time allowances. Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) should be taken on a pro rata basis so that Lead members get a living wage …a fair living wage." Source: http://www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk/speeches/000009/council_budgettax_speech.html My view is based on the role description for councillors - see pg 51 of http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/admin/images/uploaded/The%20role%20of%20councillors.pdf At the 'Councillors Commission' I argued that there should be both a part-time and full-time councillor role descriptions with remuneration on a pro rata basis. I believe this would increase the accessibility of the role to a much wider number of people. I also believe we should reduce the number of councillors, as well as MPs - and it wont surprise you to know that I support proportional representation at a local level. I would argue next week's debates are timely rather than opportunistic. I very much hope that rather than dwelling too long on the expenses issue that we will instead look forward at long overdue broader reforms of our democracy, as well as opportunities the Sustainable Communities Act offers for local councils to take back some powers from central government. I think that is far from being a 'selective' terms of reference for the debates. Best regards, Andrew |