PLANS to increase councillors’ pay in Tendring by more than £50 a year will be opposed by critics.

Tendring Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel has recommended a 1 per cent increase in councillor allowances.

It means the basic allowance would increase by £51 to £5,173 a year.

Ukip district councillor Jeff Bray, who is also standing for election to County Hall next month, said: “I’m going to be objecting to it - I don’t think we should be taking any increase at all.

“The total cost of the increase for all 60 councillors would be £5,600, although much of that increase would go to the cabinet.

“I think that at a time when the council is cutting services and putting council tax up that we should not be taking anything extra at all.

“It is only equivalent to about a £1 increase, but it’s the principle – I think it’s wrong.”

Gazette:

  • Critic - Jeff Bray

The independent panel, which is made up from members of the public, has recommended an “across-the-board” one per cent inflationary increase from May 1, as well as a “modest” increase for cabinet members.

Council leader Neil Stock would see his allowance rise £184 to £18,438 a year.

Cabinet members would see a £270 increase to £8,939.

A report said: “The panel recognises the dedication and public spirit of all councillors and their enthusiasm for the work they do and their determination that public service should come above personal gain.”

It added that the increase was consistent with the pay award for council officers on April 1.

A decision on whether to adopt the panel’s recommendations will be made at a meeting of the council on Tuesday.

  • The full list of candidates standing for the Tendring Rural East seat are: Matthew Bensilum (Lib Dem), Jeff Bray (Ukip), Andy Erskine (Con), Maria Fowler (Lab) and Chris Southall (Green).