No more free labour, say two Tory councillors
Two Tory councillors have decided to claim their salaries for the first time since their election two years ago.
Alistair Mackay and John McIntyre, who took up their roles in May 2017, requested not to receive wages for the first two years in the job at Renfrewshire Council.
However, the pair have decided to take a pay cheque for 2019/20.
Councillor Mackay, who objected to an increase in elected members’ earnings in May of this year, confirmed he had taken his salary and explained his decision.
The elected member for Johnstone South and Elderslie said: “The council has been unable to take account for how it’s spent my salary, along with the pension and national insurance contributions it was making at the same time.
“As they couldn’t account for it, apart from debt smoothing,
“I felt I would like to take control of it.”
The change in the councillors’ financial circumstances had been shared by a fellow elected member, which surprised Councillor McIntyre.
He said: “There’s nothing behind it. It’s just because I’ve spent more time in the council than doing other things.
“I’m surprised another councillor would know about this because it’s been dealt with through the finance department.
“I think it was about half of September I took and I’m going to take it going forward.
“I’m spending more time on the work. There are different parts to the work. I’ve spent more time on it and that’s increased as it’s gone on.”
A 2.8 per cent pay increase was given to the council leader, provost and councillors in May, which has seen their earnings rise to £34,994, £26,208 and £17,470 respectively.
This was also extended to senior councillors — which includes the likes of board conveners and the chair of Renfrewshire Leisure — and the leaders of the two largest opposition groups.
At the full council meeting in May, Councillor Mackay said: “I wish to object to an increase in remuneration, bearing in mind we received an increase last year.
“I would like to keep the status quo.”
However, the Scottish Government determines the basic pay of councillors and it cannot be varied by individual councils.