A SENIOR councillor has expressed concern after councillors voted in favour of awarding a pay rise allowance to senior members of the council.

At a Basingstoke and Deane Borough council meeting last week, twenty-seven Conservative councillors voted in favour of awarding a 6.5 per cent pay rise for senior councillors’ additional responsibility allowances.

During the same council meeting, councillors voted for a staff pay rise of a considerably lower amount at just 1.75 per cent.

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Cllr Andy McCormick, the leader of the Labour group has shared his concerns.

He said: “Under normal circumstances, I would accept the recommendation from the independent panel and I do feel uncomfortably about rewarding myself a pay rise but I have to say that the contents of this report make me feel even more uncomfortable and I would feel a lot more happier to have the same pay rise as our staff or failing that a pay freeze.

“As people across Basingstoke struggle with pay rises well below the 6.2 per cent current rate of inflation, Conservative councillors voted for 6.5 per cent for the council leader, cabinet members, and committee chairs.

“Moreover, in February, they voted for budget cuts, council tax rises, and hikes to fees and charges, to fund all this."

Cllr Colin Phillimore shared similar views.

He added: “I would like to vote against this proposal increasing members allowances, our residents are suffering from the unprecedented cost of living crises, increasing household bills, and the biggest drop in living standards. A proposed council tax refund of £150 is welcomed but it is not enough.

“Is this really the time to be awarding ourselves an additional allowance.”

He said the increase is "morally wrong" when residents face "finical difficulties".

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Cllr Tristan Robinson added: “We just had a vote a moment ago for the pay rise for senior members of staff those senior members left the room, I think I speak for everybody to say we all feel uncomfortable to vote on our own pay but Government rules mean we have to.

“I want no part in setting my own pay, it is important to say this is a recommendation from an independent panel so I will be voting in favour because to do anything else is to vote on your own pay, which I believe is morally wrong.”

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