Lib Dems pn Stockton Council call for review of Speical Responsibility Allowances

Liberal Democrat councillors on Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council at Wednesday night's meeting will call for a review of the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) paid to about half the Members of the Council.

These are amounts over and above the Basic Allowance of £9300 p.a. paid to all councillors. SRAs are paid to Cabinet Members, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of committees and Leaders of party groups.

Councillor Julia Cherrett said:

"Some councillors take their Special Responsibilities very conscientiously and put in a lot of work, but when Council staff are losing money in the cuts, it's only right that councillors share the pain!"

Owing to the legal procedures governing councillors' allowances, Officers have advised that they cannot be changed for 2011-12 on Wednesday night. Liberal Democrats will therefore urge that the process be started to change them as soon as possible.