Allowance Increase Plans Untimely and Disproportionate

3.25.13pm GMT Fri 12th Jan 2007

Michael Headley believes that the Independent Remuneration Panel is out of step with local residents

Commenting on the Independent Remuneration Panel's recommendation on the allowance paid to the Mayor of Bedford which will be presented to a meeting of Bedford Borough Council next week, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Michael Headley said:

"We cannot support the Independent Remuneration Panel's recommendation for a 19.5% increase in the allowance for the position of Mayor. This would take the payment up to £57,000. At a time when council budgets are tight and council tax bills are an increasingly heavy burden on taxpayers, I believe that the Panel are way out of step with local residents on this."