Councillors back 4.2% pay rise for themselves

BIRMINGHAM councillors have taken a 4.2 per cent pay rise, despite a claim it will be a “kick in the teeth” for residents.

Councillors approved the rise at a full council meeting, with basic allowances going from £17,954 to £18,681.

Pay for senior councillor roles will also increase. City leader Councillor Ian Ward will take home £75,000.

The recommendations came from an independent panel and are tied to the Annual Survey of Household Earnings (ASHE).

But not all councillors voted for the increase.

Councillor Simon Morrall (Con, Frankley Great Park) said he would not accept the increase and would instead donate it to charity. He said: “What I am going to say is probably going to be very unpopular with all colleagues. As somebody who runs a small business outside of this and during the current economic crisis, I do have some issues with giving ourselves a four per cent pay rise.

“Given where we are with the Covid crisis and the small businesses and people who have lost their jobs in this city, it would be seen as a kick in the teeth. I have an issue with accepting this.

“We do an awful lot of work for our community and you could make the case that we are underpaid.

“We do it all for the love of our community and we don’t really get paid much money. But I would also argue that we don’t get into public service for the money.

“We make that sacrifice. For me, as someone who has seen both sides, public sector and private sector, I have to think about all my colleagues out there in the private sector who are suffering at the moment.

“I will not be accepting this and I will be donating the pay to charity.”

However, the vast majority of councillors voted in favour, with just a handful voting against or abstaining. Council leader Ward said: “There are, of course, members of the council who have their own independent income and can afford to forego the remuneration that comes with being an elected member of Birmingham City Council.

“Not all members are in that fortunate position that Councillor Morrall finds himself in.

“I would just like to make it clear that we are not giving ourselves anything.

“What we are doing is accepting the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel who have spent the last 12 months deliberating on this matter and have brought the recommendations that are in front of us this afternoon to this meeting.

“It has always been the case on Birmingham City Council that we have accepted the recommendations of the independent panel and I think to do anything other than that would be to set a dangerous precedent.”