-  Barnet Council leader underlines commitment to "end damaging debate over allowances" with commitment that there will be no increase to pay to cabinet members

News Desk

Councillor Lynn Hillan the leader of Barnet Council, has today announced plans to end the debate over allowances paid to members of the councils cabinet, by reiterating that "cabinet members revert to the level of allowances under the previous scheme and receive no increase."

Barnet council is expected in the next 12 months to make cuts to budgets across the board of between 20-30% in a wide selection of departments according to senior officials within the authority.

Cllr Lynne Hillan, Leader of Barnet Council, is to recommend to the next meeting of Barnet Council that it revisits and revises the system for members’ allowances agreed at the Council meeting of July 13.

Cllr Hillan commented: “The Cabinet has been listening carefully to the views expressed by residents over the past couple of weeks regarding the change to Members’ Allowances and has taken them on board.

“There will be many difficult decisions about the future of the council to be taken over the coming months. We need to consult widely and take residents with us on those decisions.

“I have spent the last fortnight speaking to colleagues and it has become clear that we simply can’t have the conversations we need to have with residents about the future of the council, our services and the decisions that need to be made, with this debate about allowances going on. There are times when leadership is about action and there are times when it is about listening. I have listened and I am acting.

“The previous allowances scheme was much criticised and I have no doubt that it was in need of change. Many of the reforms we made should stay, not least for the sake of transparency.

“But I also appreciate that many residents are unhappy that Cabinet Members’ allowances could increase when service budgets face reductions.

“Residents have made it clear that they expect elected members to set an example to other parts of the council.

“The proposal I will put to Council in September will bring an overall cut to the budget for member’s allowances of around £95,000.”

photo credit:  London Daily News (l-r Mike Freer MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Cllr Lynn Hillan) no unauthorised use of photo is permitted copyright London Daily News