Croydon councillors to vote on pay rises

Croydon councillors will soon vote on whether they should get a four per cent pay increase in April.

All councillors are currently entitled to £11,692 a year in allowances.

In addition to the basic allowances cabinet members get an extra £27,503 and shadow cabinet members get an extra £5,615.

However, Croydon Mayor Jason Perry, who has a salary of £81,894.36, said the Conservative group will be rejecting the proposed increase.

In a Tweet he said: “Officers have brought forward councillor allowance increases in the normal way.

“I do not think it is appropriate to raise councillor allowances at this time and I and the Croydon Conservative Group will vote against any proposed increases.”

His statement sparked comments, with some calling on him to take a pay cut.

Croydon Tony Tweeted: “What an insult. You should all be taking a reduction.”

While Rob Sheppard said: “Scrap the proposed 15 per cent council tax increase while you’re at it,” in a reference to the rise coming this April – the highest in the country.

The opposition Labour group also pledged to vote against the proposed increase.

A statement on Twitter read: “Croydon council has published proposals to increase councillors’ allowances.

Croydon Labour councillors will vote against these proposals, which cannot be justified at a time when there are plans to increase council tax by 15 per cent.”

The proposed increase to councillor allowances will be discussed by the council’s General Purposes and Audit Committee on Tuesday.

Councillor Samir Dwesar said: “As a member of the General Purposes Committee, I’ll be voting against any rise in councillor allowance next week.

“Now is not the time and I’m glad Croydon Tories have collectively taken a strong stance.”

Pictured top: Croydon Town Hall (Picture: Grahame Larter)