Minister announces review of councillors’ allowances

NIO Minister, Angela Smith today announced plans to review the way in which local councillors are paid.

Encouraging district councils, local government interests and ratepayers representatives to respond to the consultation paper, Angela Smith said councillors had a vital role to play in supporting their communities and representing the interests of their constituents.

She added: "This consultation, paper considers a number of proposals to change the system of allowances in order to give more appropriate recognition for councillors.

"I would encourage everyone with an interest in the work of district councils to respond to this consultation and make their views known. In deciding how best to proceed on these issues following consultation it will be important for government to balance fair and equitable remuneration for councillors with the ability of local communities to fund this."

The consultation paper sets out proposals for abolition of the attendance allowance for councillors and suggests either replacing it with a higher flat rate basic allowance or a higher basic allowance linked to the population of a district council.

The paper seeks comments on a more fundamental proposal, which would involve the appointment of an independent panel and would allow district councils to determine their own rates of allowances.

It also invites views on other related issues including possible arrangements for regulating chairman’s and vice-chairman’s allowances and allowances for member services such as the provision of computers and mobile phones.

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