Councillors at Malvern Hills District Council reject pay rise
Councillors at Malvern Hills District Council have rejected a proposal to increase their allowance.
The 1.75% increase to the basic allowance for 2022/23 was recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel at a Council meeting on 21 June.
This was rejected by councillors who didn't want to accept the rise during the current cost of living crisis.
The basic allowance will stay at the current rate of £4,650.
The Independent Remuneration Panel, separate from the Council, has been appointed to carry out reviews of the allowances paid to councillors, as required by the Local Government Act 2000 and subsequent legislation.
The panel has stressed that its recommendations are based on thorough research and presented what it considers to be an appropriate set of allowances to reflect the roles carried out by the councillors.
Cllr Natalie McVey, Deputy Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "It isn't appropriate for councillors to accept this pay-rise amidst the current economic climate. We are currently going through a cost-of-living crisis where people across the district are struggling, the increase is unjustifiable."
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