Council pay bill about to quadruple

From the archive, first published Thursday 26th Apr 2001.

West Oxfordshire councillors have voted to quadruple their pay.

The majority Conservative Party used the introduction of a new system of local government to push through the new allowances.

Councillors will now receive £3,700 a year while the leader of the council will get £17,900.

The bill for councillors jumps from £80,000 last year to £312,000 next year.

One Tory, Paul Wesson, resigned from the party in protest at the decision.

Mr Wesson, who switched to the Independents, said: "I cannot go along with such a large increase."

Other Conservatives were also concerned about the new payments.

David Harvey said: "My gut feeling is that we will now get a different sort of councillor.

"The honest joes who do their bit for the community may not be able to afford the time under this new system."

A move by the Liberal Democrats to reduce the amounts being paid for special responsibilities was voted down.

The council is now run by a six-member Cabinet of councillors who supervise day-to-day management.

Planning and licensing matters continue as before.

New leader Barry Norton said: "We do not like the new system, but the Government has forced us to change."