Councillors back £500 pay rise for themselves

SOLIHULL councillors have approved a recommendation to give themselves a £500 pay rise. The council is one of the cheapest in the region and the changes are likely to cost around £33,000 in total.

A report was issued by the Independent Remuneration

Panel (IRP) which met three times in January and February 2022 to consider the pay of local politicians. The Solihull Council Governance Committee recommended its findings should be accepted and a final decision was approved on April 5.

It comes amid a cost of living crisis in Solihull which will bite residents and councillors alike. Conservative MP Julian Knight has warned against thinking the leafy borough will be unaffected by skyrocketing bills.

The panel, which spoke with leaders of Solihull’s political groups and council chiefs, concluded that while the allowances of Solihull councillors were low compared with similar local authorities, the current system was “fit for purpose”.

The main task of the panel was to “address minor issues arising rather than undertaking a fundamental review”.

Each councillor receives a basic allowance. This is the same for every councillor and its purpose is to recognise their time commitment and to cover incidental expenses.

In the 22/23 financial year, the basic allowance will go up from £10,000 to £10,500. It will be reviewed again for the 2023-24 financial year.

A report compiled for councillors read: “The conclusion of the Panel was that, although Solihull allowances are low compared with similar local authorities, the members’ allowances scheme is fit for purpose and the main task was to address minor issues arising rather than undertaking a fundamental review.

“In reaching this conclusion the Panel was mindful of its guiding principle that it has sought to reduce financial barriers to being an elected member while ensuring that the remuneration and expenses received by elected members represent value for money.”

The panel noted that while the level of basic allowance paid in Solihull remained low compared with similar authorities, it was no longer the lowest of the metropolitan councils in the West Midlands.

Some councillors who take on extra duties, such as cabinet members, receive a special responsibility allowance as well as their basic allowance. The panel recommended special allowances be increased by at least two per cent with the exception of deputy council leader Karen Grinsell, who it said should receive a larger rise.