The Conservative Group in York today reacted with shock and disbelief that the LibDem-led City of York Council has today tested the waters to check on the ‘appetite’ amongst Councillors for yet another hike in Councillor pay!
The Conservative Group have insisted that they will not take a penny more from the council tax payer in York.
Strensall ward Conservative Councillor Paul Doughty explained,
Only yesterday in the local media, the Lib Dem Council Leader expressed his concern that the Council faces millions in a budget shortfall, some might say in large part through financial mismanagement by his administration. Yet today, his same administration have the audacity to test ‘appetite’ for yet another hike in Councillor pay. Frankly, I am gob-smacked!
To increase Councillor pay would render the council as totally out of touch, if that was even more possible than it already is. It highlights a complete lack of empathy, awareness or respect for the financial challenges the country and majority of our citizens in York face at this time. Let’s not forget this is not the first time during this administration – remember most Councillors voted themselves considerable inflation busting increases in pay, in some cases between 20-50% directly after the last local elections. They literally took the ‘p’ out of our residents and they want to do it again, even suggesting it could be sorted quickly so that it can be in December pay, like a Christmas bonus! Appalling. This time, let it not just be the Conservatives (and a solitary Indie) who show restraint.
We didn’t take the increases then and we won’t now. A complete freeze and not a penny more is the proposal from the Conservative Group!
At least York Conservative Group’s objection has contributed to failure for complete consensus and means the decision can’t be pushed through in a back door deal to suit some. It is now confirmed that this will now have to be a decision that is put through Full Council in December for the public of York to see. Nor do the Conservative Group in York care what comparisons are made with other councils.
We confirm our position that there should be a freeze on York Councillor pay / allowances or however anyone else wants to dress the description up. We feel it is totally inappropriate to put more burden on our residents for something that they gain absolutely no benefit for at a time when so many will be struggling financially.
