RBK Fat Cats

Like their bigger Brothers & Sisters in Parliament Councillors are also paid.
Each Borough Councillor is entitled in accordance with The Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 to claim a basic allowance or “Wage”
Based on payments made to Councillors between April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2009 Each Councillor received a basic allowance of £7456.00.
Councillors can request to waiver their total allowance or be paid a lesser portion.
These allowances have been increased by 2% for 2009 – 2010
All Councillors “Wages” are subject to NI & Income Tax deductions
Councillors are paid extra on top of their individual £7456.00* for positions of Special Responsibility. The Top Jobs & positions going to members of the Majority Party Lesser Jobs & positions going the Opposition Party
* 2008-09 figure before 2% rise
Top Council Earners April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2009
Name Party Responsibility Gross Pay D. Osbourne LD Leader of Council £37563.89
H. Jones Con Leader Opposition £24947.40
B. O’ Mahony LD Not Stated £24947.40
D. Berry LD Not Stated £21342.12
P. Bamford LD Executive Member £18926.22
P. Codd Con Not Stated £18926.34
C. Hitchcock LD Not Stated £18926.22
S. James LD Executive Member £18926.22
I. Reid LD Executive Member £18926.34
P. Shelton LD Executive Member £18926.34
Hook Rise & Tolworth Councillors
R. Davies LD Executive Member £18926.22
V. Harris LD Neighbourhood Comm. £18926.34
R. Lee LD Neighbourhood Comm. £18926.22
All the above figures are on top of a Councillors normal full-time occupational wage.
Although I’m certain that a percentage of our Councillors have made Politics their new Vocation or primary income.
Total Cost for All 48 Kingston Borough Councillors + Six Non-Elected Committee Members
Year End March 31st 2009 £618876.93
Year End March 31st 2010 with 2% Increase £631254.47
If Elected I will put forward & pursue one of the following motions-:
All Councillors to be paid an equal hourly rate + justifiable expenses* based on the amount of hours they actually work on Council Business.
Currently a Councillor can attend one Council meeting in a year and get paid their yearly allowance of £7585.00*.
*2009-2010 rate * i.e. Phone, Stationary etc
Councillors with a Responsibility Role to get an hourly reflecting the scale of that responsibility.
Reduce ALL Councillors “Wages” on a Band Scale
Band 1
Basic Rate for ALL Councillors £7585.00 Reduced by 18% & frozen for 4 years
Band 2
Ordinary Committee Members Reduced by 22% & frozen for 4 years
Band 3
Executive Committee Members, Chairpersons Mayor & Deputy Mayor Reduced by 28% & frozen for 4 years
Band 4
Leaders of Political Groups (Ruling and Opposition) + their Deputies Reduced by 35% & frozen for 4 years
Bearing in mind that All Councillors can opt to take less if they so desire
If I am elected I pledge that I will automatically give 25% of my wages to The Royal British Legion / The British Limbless Ex-Services Association & Marie Curie Cancer Fund
All of these figures are freely available to voters & members of the public at
kingston.gov.uk/councilanddemocracy/constitution/part6membersallowancesscheme

Vic Bellamy
Independent Candidate for Hook Rise & Tolworth