MEMBERS of Cornwall Council have voted to support a recommendation to increase the level of allowances for councillors elected to Cornwall Council after the next unitary council elections to help attract people from a more diverse range of backgrounds to stand as potential candidates.

The allowances paid to members of the council have not increased for the past four years. Earlier this year an Independent Remuneration Panel was set up to review the existing scheme and come forward with recommendations to be implemented after the 2017 unitary elections.

Presenting the report from the three member panel at the recent meeting of the full council, panel chairman Margaret de Valois said: “Our main aim had been to make sure that people from all walks of life felt they could stand for the council, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

“It is vital that all groups in society are reflected in the make-up of Cornwall Council. We wanted to make sure that the level of the allowance did not deter some people from standing for election.”

As part of its research the panel took evidence from current members of the council, with a questionnaire sent to all councillors and interviews with a cross section to provide information on the pressures and workloads of councillors with differing roles, as well as considering benchmarking information from other authorities.

Proposing the recommendations put forward by the panel, which includes an increase in the basic allowance to £13,910.54 per year (a 13.5% increase); greater flexibility in the allowances paid to carers, and a five pence per mile reduction in mileage payment, council chairman Ann Kerridge said that, while being asked to vote on their own allowances was a poisoned chalice, it was important for members to support the increase.

She said: “We are not voting to benefit existing members of the council here today. We are being asked to agree a level of allowances which may remove any potential barriers for other people who wish to stand for election to the next council. “

Following concerns from a number of other members over the current legislation which requires councillors to decide their own allowances, it was also agreed to write to the government asking them to change the law to bring it into line with the process for MPs who no longer have to vote on their own salary.

The recommendations agreed by members are to be implemented after the 2017 Cornwall Council elections.

LAUNCESTON councillors have expressed their disappointment at Cornwall Council’s decision to allow members to charge their food to the taxpayer.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillors Jade Farrington and Gemma Massey voted against a proposal to increase councillors’ allowances from the current rate of £12,249.68 to £13,910.54 and to allow councillors to claim for food whenever they are on approved council duties.

The change will not take effect until after the Cornwall Council elections in May 2017.

Cllr Farrington, who represents Launceston South, said: “When I was elected in 2013 I was shocked to discover that councillors could charge their food to the taxpayer. It’s completely abhorrent that some councillors demand free food on top of their allowances while the council is cutting services due to central government cuts and more and more people are using food banks.

“I introduced a motion to council to stop this back in 2013 and it went through with overwhelming support, so it was extremely disappointing to see the U turn at May’s full council meeting.

“My 2013 motion didn’t stop the practice as that wasn’t legally possible, but it laid down a marker and said that we don’t think claiming for food is acceptable. Most councillors have respected this but a handful are still putting large bills on the taxpayer.”

Cllr Massey, who was elected to represent Launceston Central in a by-election at the beginning of 2016, said she found it unbelievable when she was told she could claim for food.

“Everyone has to eat regardless of whether they’re a councillor. You either take food with you or buy a sandwich like everyone else; to expect taxpayers to fund it while the Tory government slashes the council’s budget and services are decreased is completely unfathomable.

“Some councillors argued that all this would help increase the diversity of candidates standing for election next year but I can’t see how people are suddenly going to be able to put themselves forward because of this.

“It’s right that councillors should be compensated for their work as it’s a very demanding job, but if you’re standing for the money then you’re standing for the wrong reason.”

She added: “Councillors of working age have other jobs too and I’ve found people are very accepting of this. It helps keep you in the real world instead of becoming a full time politician and getting lost in the Truro bubble.”