£15,000 pay rise to Birmingham Council leaders labelled 'insensitive'

Jun 15 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post

Birmingham City Council leaders have been accused of insensitive behaviour at a time of economic hardship after they were awarded a £15,000 pay rise to be non-executive directors of the NEC Group.

Taxpayers’ Alliance spokeswoman Fiona McEvoy said the four – Tory council leader Mike Whitby, his Liberal Democrat deputy Paul Tilsley, cabinet regeneration member Neville Summerfield and opposition Labour leader Sir Albert Bore – should be “motivated by civic duty, not money”.

The pay deal was agreed at a meeting of the full city council, although many backbenchers registered their unease by refusing to vote.

Erdington Tory councillor Gareth Compton, who abstained, said: “I continue to feel uncomfortable about more taxpayers’ money being taken out of this organisation which exists only by virtue of huge subsidies from Birmingham council tax payers.”

It was also agreed to backdate the award to September 2008, giving each of the four a £12,500 lump sum.

Ms McEvoy added: “It is completely insensitive for councillors to accept this generous bonus at a time of recession, especially for a task that they’ve previously undertaken willingly and for free.

“The public are weary of hearing how those in public office are benefitting to the tune of thousands at the expense of hard-working taxpayers. It’s high time these perks were axed.”

City council non-executive directors of the NEC have not been paid a special allowance previously.

The decision brings them into line with Chamber of Commerce directors of the NEC, who are paid for their contribution.

The award also annoyed the council unions.

Unison spokeswoman Caroline Johnson said: “Our members will take a very dim view of this.

“I am among 200 workers, mainly low-paid women, facing redundancy due to cuts in day centres, care homes and meals on wheels services. This sort of thing does not send the right message.”

Anger at the award continued to grow over the weekend, with many backbench councillors admitting that they did not know what they were voting for.

A written resolution to the full council recommending the payment made no mention of the sums involved.

Council corporate director of governance Mirza Ahmad rejected accusations of secrecy.

Mr Ahmad said the £15,000 figure had been set out publicly at a meeting of the business management committee earlier in the year.

Coun Tilsley and Coun Summerfield have indicated they may not accept the £15,000 award.

Sir Albert Bore said the payment was in line with allowances given to city councillors who performed additional work by being members of the police, fire and transport authorities.

Coun Whitby has refused to comment.