Councillors to get more in year 2000

PLANS to increase councillors' allowances by up to 75 per cent by the year 2000 have been approved by Buckinghamshire County Council's policy and resources committee.

The basic allowance for all 54 councillors has risen from £1,500 to £2,000 and is likely to be £3,500 by the new millennium.

The leaders of the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups, John Huddart and Pam Crawford, spoke against the increase, saying it was wrong after budget cuts hit vital services this year.

Because of the recent cuts, the committee agreed that increased special responsibility payments to Cllr Ken Ross, chairman of the council, and Cllr Audrey Bainbridge, vice-chairman, and the chairmen of committees, should be deferred until next year.

"My answer to those in opposition is that they don't have to claim them," said Cllr Ross, who is paid £10,000 a year and next year is likely to receive £12,500.

Cllr Bainbridge currently receives £4,000 and next year it will be £5,000. Cllr David Shakespeare (Con, West Wycombe and Sands) receives £10,000 as chairman of the policy and resources committee, this it will rise to £12,500 next year.

Chairmen of service committees receive £6,000, rising to £6,500, and chairmen of sub-committees get £2,000 - likely to be up to £3,000 next year.

Daily attendance allowances are £13 for up to four hours and £26 for longer, but the latter is falling to £20.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.