Council leader announces U-turn on massive increase in allowances

ANGER over the hefty allowance rises voted through for Surrey County Council has forced its leader to make a U-turn on his decision.

Councillor David Hodge and his cabinet have come under concerted pressure following their decision to vote through their own pay rises of up to 60%.

The increases were an addition of more than £60,000 in spending on top of a £200,000 total rise suggested by an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

The panel resigned following the decision, which saw some councillors benefiting from payments of more than £10,000.

However, following weeks of concerted pressure by the press and public, Cllr Hodge has revealed that he and his deputy leader, Cllr Peter Martin, would be backtracking over their rises.

In a statement at the start of Tuesday's full council meeting, Cllr Hodge revealed that the pair would instead take the recommended pay hikes put forward by the IRP.

Therefore he will receive an £8,538 raise, not the £15,990 he recommended for himself.

Cllr Martin will take a £10,833 raise, which had been boosted by a further £917.

Cllr Hodge would not take questions on the statement, meaning it is not known what the U-turn will mean for other councillor allowances.

Members of the public were outraged when cabinet members approved the allowance increases in March.

Controversial cabinet associate positions, created by the leader and criticised as unnecessary by opposition, were given an allowance of £12,500, an extra £5,000 compared to the IRP recommendation.

The decision was greeted with shock by Labour Parliamentary candidate Richard Wilson, who launched a petition over the allowance rises calling for them to be reconsidered.

The petition has more than 2,200 signatures, but needs 20,000 to guarantee a full council debate.

Mr Wilson said: "I was shocked when Cllr Hodge came out with it [the U-turn], and we will take that as a victory.

“But there is still more to be done. We would like to see all of these allowances back on the table.

“He was clearly not happy with the decision and was moaning, but this is what the people wanted to see. He is still getting a big raise.

“It is just a matter of time before all of these allowances get discussed, but this is a big step forward.”