Councillors' Allowances Frozen for Four Years


Labour say they are delivering election promises

Ealing Council is thought to be the first London Borough to commit itself to a freeze on councillors' allowances for the next four years.

During the election campaign, the Labour group also promised to keep council tax low with a freeze in the first year and Leader Councillor Julian Bell told members that they would deliver their promise.

An average band D property owner will continue to pay £1369.75 until April 2012 and the basic allowance for councillors will remain at £9,612 per year with special allowances for members with extra responsibility.

Councillor Julian Bell, said:

"I feel it is only right that during these difficult times we do not award ourselves a rise in allowance in order for us to help the council deliver value for money.

"We were the only party to take this issue seriously at the election and we intend to make good on the promise we made."

The Conservatives said it was only a matter of time before Council tax would rise. Northfield Councillor Phil Taylor said:

'' One of the key objectives of the Tory opposition for the next four years is going to be to box Labour in and make sure that council tax is not allowed to spiral out of control after next year.''

The freeze on allowances will be voted on at the next full council meeting in July.

June 23, 2010