MONMOUTHSHIRE County Councillors have this week defended their decision to increase special responsibility allowance.

In last week's Chronicle we reported how increases for the leader of the council, deputy leader, cabinet members and committee chairs and some vice-chairs were approved seeing an average increase of almost 40 percent, and, in some cases, increases in the order of 400 percent. The total amount of the increases in senior councillor pay is £50,000.

However, MCC Leader, Peter Fox, said this week that he is satisfied that the council has decided that an independent organisation will decide how much councillors are paid, bringing the amount of money councillors are paid in allowances in line with other authorities in Wales. 

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales recommended that councillors with certain responsibilities should be paid a rate that is set across Wales and members agreed to let an independent body decide how much they are paid as they were not comfortable deciding this themselves.

Peter Fox said, "It's not right for us to determine our own rate of allowances and expenses.

"The majority of members of all political persuasions consider this to be the fairest way to be paid.

"We are being paid from public funds and it was inappropriate that members set the level of allowances for themselves.  We want our residents to be confident that we are not being paid more or less than other Welsh councillors with the same duties.

"Many critics seem to believe that councillors doing a full time job should do so for very little reward.

"The council should be seen as a £150 million business employing 4,000 people.  It's appropriate that the people who oversee this organisation are paid fairly."

Councillor Brian Hood, cabinet member for social services said adds, "The job of the councillor has changed out of all recognition in recent years since we changed to a cabinet and executive system.

"Cabinet members have huge responsibilities and burdens – we need to put in the hours if we want to keep on top of the job.

"You only have to look at what happened in Haringey over the tragedy of 'Baby P', where the leader and the cabinet member for social serviced resigned over the council's failure, to realise the level of responsibility that falls to executive members in the UK."

Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, whose group voted against the increases, argued that the "Vast increases for special responsibility allowances during this time of acute economic hardship should not go-ahead. This is time to show restraint, to tighten our belts and share the pain that people out there are experiencing right now."

Councillor Phil Murphy, Cabinet member for finance commented, "I have seen a chart produced by councillor Hobson, leader of the Lib Dems, reported in the press. It is very misleading. In overall terms, the increase in allowances for those with special responsibilities is not as it seems. For instance cabinet members will see their total allowances rise by 13 per cent not by 24 per cent as the chart would have you believe.

"It also states that councillor Hobson has received no increase. Yes he has in overall terms. He has received an increase of 3.5 per cent. Much smaller than those with additional responsibilities, and that is because he only has basic responsibilities and has sacrificed a much smaller portion of his allowance over past years."

Deputy Leader of the Council, Bob Greenland added, "During the recent debate on allowances in council, councillor Hobson was happy to accept an increase in allowances for himself and his Lib Dem colleagues, but not for members who have special responsibilities within the council. He forgot to mention that in his recent press release.

"These are the hallmarks of Lib Dem party politics. We had it a few weeks ago when they tried to show themselves as holier than thou. With the Lib Dems it is a case of do as I say not as I do."