Liberal Democrats Criticise 15.8% Pay Rise for Councillors

10.07.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Oct 2007

Philip Nathan, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Edmondsley and Waldridge, has condemned the 15.8% pay rise which Chester-le-Street District Councillors voted themselves at the District Council meeting held on 27th September.

Ignoring the advice of the Independent Remuneration Panel, which recommended a 5.8% rise in allowances, Labour, Conservative and Independent councillors voted to add another 10% to the Panel recommendation, described as a an "e-government incentive", meaning an extra £55 each month for the councillors.

Councillor Nathan said "In times when people are having to put up with so many price rises, with petrol, heating, gas and other prices all going up, it is wrong for councillors to award themselves such a whopping pay rise. The 5.8% rise proposed by the independent panel would have been enough."

Councillor Nathan was joined by independent councillor for North Lodge, Jackie Proud, who also voted against the increase.