An independent report stated that Kent County Councillors should receive a 1.5% pay increase. The Councillors ignored this recommendation and voted for a 15% pay increase.
They said that high pay would encourage younger and more diverse people to become Councillors, yet they reviewed no alternative methods to achieve their aim. Many councils use evening meetings, or vary selection processes to encourage a range of people to become Councillors. A plan to encourage younger people to become Councillors is a good one and deserves thorough review.
A 15% rise means KCC Councillors will be the highest paid Councillors in the land, at a cost to tax payers of £978,848. I would like the council to find a method to encourage diversity in the council chamber at a much lower cost.
At a time of austerity and a 1% public sector pay cap it is inappropriate for KCC Councillors to ignore independent advice and vote for themselves to receive a 15% pay rise.
This ePetition ran from 20/07/2017 to 19/10/2017 and has now finished.
334 people signed this ePetition.
The Council's response can be viewed here https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s80919/Petition%20Response%2015%20pay%20increase%20for%20KCC%20Councillors.pdf