Political blog, May 13: So, how about KCC allowances?
Comments |
As the outcry over MPs' allowances
continues, an obvious question arises for those interested in the
forthcoming Kent County Council election.
Namely, how much do our county councillors
claim in allowances and how do we find out about them?
The system at KCC is, of course, rather different to the system
for MPs. Each of the 84 county councillors receives what is known
as a "basic allowance" that is currently set at
£12,000. On top of that, the more important members - including
those in the cabinet - receive "special responsibility
allowances". For each cabinet member, that is
£26,649.96. They are also entitled to claim car
mileage, fares and subsistence. There is also a carers' allowance
payable.
As to when the details of all the latest allowances claims will
be available, anyone hoping to have a look before polling day on
June 4 will be out of luck. It appears the date set for the formal
publication that is legally required will be June
11. The earliest they are likely to be available - under
Access to Information legislation - will be June
6.
I gather there is nothing sinister about this, it's just
the result of the scheduling of committee meetings that were agreed
some time ago. No doubt a few people might take a rather more
jaundiced view.
However, anyone interested in the
most recent claims for 2008 can read them here.
**********************
Ann Widdecombe has entered the debate about MPs'
allowances, making some points about the detrimental impact the
revelations may have on those aspiring to become Parliamentarians
and warning about how disillusion with the mainstream parties may
boost extremist parties.
They are valid points but I'm inclined to think that the public
still feels rather affronted about the outrageous abuses of the
arrangements to have much empathy with them just now. She made no
bones about the impact this is having on Parliament, saying that in
all her career she has never seen the public hold politicians in
such contempt.
Read more about Ann's view here
************************
David Cameron has stolen a march on Gordon
Brown over the allowances' saga, making the PM - not for the first
time - look rather leaden-footed with his own plans to crack down
on abuses of the system.
He must have been acutely aware that headlines about Tory
grandees claiming for moat clearances, swimming pool repairs and
chandeliers had huge potential to unravel his efforts to reposition
the Conservatives as progressive, modern and more caring party.
In one sense, it is a damage limitation exercise and I suspect
the public is so disillusioned that it is going to take more
than multiple expressions of contrition to assuage the deep
anger there is out there.
Meanwhile, Hazel Blears takes the prize for the
cheesiest moment in the saga, holding up the cheque she intends to
send to HMRC to pay it for the capital gains tax she said would
have been payable. You do sometimes wonder whether our politicians
have really learned anything from this media training they are said
to be so keen on.
Wednesday, May 13 2009
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.