JOBS FOR THE BOYS

7.18.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Aug 2007

Jobs for the boys: Conservatives line their own pockets after illegal decision.

(The Sheriff of Nottingham strikes again)

At the first full Council meeting following the elections the ruling Conservatives, in an unprecedented move and amidst total chaos, illegally voted to suspend the whole constitution in order to create two extra Cabinet positions, making 10 in total, and also to allow them to take control of all the scrutiny committees. This means that 40% of Conservative members are now on the Cabinet and 84% receive extra allowances which total £121,622. The total bill for all councillors is £480,247 of which the Conservatives' share is £332,672 or virtually 70%.

This is the first decision of the new Council and compares with the first big decision in 2003 when the Conservatives first took control. Then they increased allowances by 29%. "It makes a mockery of their election statement: 'We remember it is your money we are spending'", said Councillor Mike Brooke. "Actually, it is the public's money they are taking for themselves. It shows the contempt they have for the electorate, especially the elderly and most vulnerable who faced dramatic increases in transport charges to care centres of 160% (subsequently reduced to 50%) just before the election. In addition staff vacancies at care centres like Fourways are to remain unfilled. This is robbing the poor to pay the rich. It is just like the Sheriff of Nottingham and his hangers-on all over again. They are taking an extra £2.6million in stealth taxes this year and promising cuts in services of over £2 million per year for the next 3 years yet they can find extra money for themselves."

Notes:

The basic allowance for councillors is £8,442.

Additional allowances are as follows: Leader of the council - £20,070

Deputy Leader - £12,042

Cabinet Portfolio - £8,028

Chair of Planning - £4,014

Chair of Licensing - £4,014

Co-chair of licensing - £1,204

Chairs of Overview/Scrutiny - £2,408

Chair of TAG - £2,408

Political Group Leaders - £2,007 + £50 per group member.