Three jobs, three salaries: Have the Tories lost the plot? - Dakers

7.14.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jul 2007

The majority of Hounslow Tory Councillors last night voted to give members of Hounslow's Executive and Committee Chairs' substantial pay rises. Whilst the Liberal Democrat Group supported the increases in principle, as they will reduce barriers for some people in standing for election, Group leader Cllr Dakers raised serious concerns as to whether Executive members with other jobs should take the full pay increase. For this reason Cllr Dakers voted against the proposals as they were tabled. He welcomed increases in the dependent carers allowance and the introduction of a role description for councillors.

Speaking after the Hounslow Borough full council (July 24th), Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said:

"We fully support the introduction of a role description for councillors. However this description must be seen as a starting point. There are gaps in the job description which has been rushed through, and there is no separate job description for members of the Executive. This must be addressed by a future meeting of the Leaders/ Deputy Leaders Group and brought back to full Borough Council.

"The Liberal Democrats support a move to paying Hounslow Councillors the London average allowances and increasing dependent carer allowances to realistic levels. It is vital that we recognise the the current financial barriers faced by some backbench councillors wanting to join the Executive, as well as those people who have not stood for election as councillors, despite believing in public service.

"Families and mortgage commitments for example should not suffer as a result of a councillor's public service and so there must be appropriate levels of financial support. We can no longer have democracy on the cheap or we will not attract excellent future councillors.

"As the role description illustrates, the demands on councillors wanting to do a good job for their communities are now very substantial. The national Improvement and Development Agency estimates that the average councillor puts in over 20 hours per week on council activities.

"Unfortunately I could not support the proposals last night as many Executive members will now be drawing two allowances, in addition to salaries from employment outside the council. There is no clarity at the moment from Executive members as to what the public will get for their money.

"We need openness and transparency around the time all Executive members intend to put into their Executive role, work as a ward councillor and their outside work commitments. They should then only draw the percentage of the Special Responsibility Allowance that is deemed appropriate for the hours put in. Without such steps this pay rise will damage the public's confidence in our council, not rebuild trust in local democracy."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Pay rise summary

ROLE Current 2006/7 New allowance - based on averages for London councillors % increase

Leader £15,554 (in addition to basic allowance) £34,000 (in addition to basic allowance) 119%

Deputy Leader £8,994 (in addition to basic allowance) £20,000 (in addition to basic allowance) 122%

Other Executive members £6,474 (in addition to basic allowance) £16,000 (in addition to basic allowance) 147%

Leader of the largest minority party (Labour) £2,710 (in addition to basic allowance) £2,710 (in addition to basic allowance) 0%

Basic allowance (all councillors) £9,525 £9,763 2.5%

Job profile for councillors

Purposes:

1. To participate constructively in the good governance of the area.

2. To contribute actively to the formation and scrutiny of the authority's policies, budget, strategies and service delivery.

3. To represent effectively the interests of the Ward for which the councillor was elected, and deal with constituents' enquiries and representations.

4. To champion the causes which best relate to the interests and sustainability of the community and campaign for the improvement of the quality of life of the community in terms of equity, economy and environment.

5. To represent the council on an outside body, such as a charitable trust or neighbourhood association.

Key Tasks:

1. To fulfil the statutory and local determined requirements of an elected member of a local authority and the authority itself, including compliance with all relevant codes of conduct, and participation in those decisions and activities reserved to the full Council (e.g. Setting budget, overall priorities, strategy).

2. To participate effectively as a member of any Committee or Panel to which the councillor is appointed, including related responsibilities for the services falling within the Committee's (or Panel's) terms of reference, human resource issues, staff appointments, fees and charges, and liaison with other public bodies to promote better understanding and partnership working.

3. To participate in the activities of an outside body to which the Councillor is appointed, providing two-way communication between the organisations. Also, for the purpose, to develop and maintain a working knowledge of the authority's policies and practices in relation to that body and of the community's needs and aspirations in respect of that body's role and functions.

4. To participate in the scrutiny or performance review of the services of the authority including where the authority so decides, the scrutiny of policies and budget, and their effectiveness in achieving the strategic objectives of the authority.

5. To participate, as appointed, in the area - and service-based consultative processes with the community and with other organisations.

6. To represent the authority to the community, and the community to the authority, through the various forums available.

7. To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the authority's services, management arrangements, powers/duties, and constraints, and to develop good working relationships with relevant officers of the authority.

8. To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the organisations, services, activities and other factors which impact upon the community's well-being and identity.

9. To contribute constructively to open government and democratic renewal through active encouragement to the community to participate generally in the government of the area.

10. To participate in the activities of any political group of which the councillor is a member.

11. To undertake necessary training and development programmes as agreed by the authority.

To be accountable for his/her actions and to report regularly on them in accessible and transparent ways.