At a national level this one-size-fits-all policy is costing taxpayers around £20 billion a year in pay disparity between the public and private sectors.
Increases in Council Tax should be limited to two per cent. If local authorities want to raise it by more than that, a referendum should be required.
A heroic councillor in East Grinstead gives up his allowances. The people of Sandwell are indignant about high pay for town hall bosses.
A report has found a lack of proper audits, unlawful payments, and a refusal to answer queries from councillors.
Why does this issue have to be legislated at the national level? Wouldn’t it be better to let local residents and taxpayers decide what is best?
Plus: Welsh council reserves increase during the pandemic. The complex Council Tax rebate is an utter shambles, with widespread delays.
Plus: Pet projects in Durham, with a £50 million new HQ. Councillors in Wolverhampton increase their allowances by 17 per cent.
Shetland, Wandsworth, Southampton, and Harlow are among the few local authorities bucking the trend.
Through its “efficiency dividend” residents will receive a reduction of up to £50 this year, without any cuts to frontline services.
How can it be fair that local residents are hit financially, yet councillors’ allowances and executive remuneration have both increased?
It is more sensible for local authorities to pursue the commercialisation of existing services over commercial property investments.
Plus: Gwynedd Council should not take the day off for St David’s Day. In Warrington, the nightmare that is council energy companies returns.
From failing energy companies, to white elephant projects, many local authorities have continued to pour public money down the drain.
It may be the season of goodwill but many councils deserve a lump of coal after their misuse of public money.
We have Rugby’s Lego Trail, a pop-up beach in Stoke, and Wigan splashing out £125,000 on social media campaigning.