'Slash councillors' handouts by half' move

25 June 2009

MOVES to slash the hundreds of thousands of pounds paid to Newham councillors in allowances each year is being made on Monday.

Labour's opposition leader Cllr Alan Craig says the traditional Special Responsibility handouts from the public purse by one of the most deprived boroughs in the country are excessive.

In his official motion he demands the highest earners among elected members - all Labour - should have a 50 per cent cut to "demonstrate leadership through serving our low-income community rather than pumping up their own pay from the public purse".

His official motion to Newham Council is aimed at among others Mayor Sir Robin Wales, who receives £78,063, his Deputy Cllr Christine Bowden (£43,803); five councillors who take home £30,735 for their work as portfolio holders and two other elected councillors who each receive £22,540 for holding cabinet portfolios. Apart from the Mayor each of the councillor like all elected members, is paid 10,829, giving a total of around £667,000 a year for the nine councillors alone.