Paying for your councillor's pension?3

Tim Aker Campaign

Our report into council pensions today has exposed a shocking number of councillors who have opted into the local government pension scheme. Yes, you thought it was just for council staff, but no, since 2003 councillors have been given the opportunity to opt into the scheme. Already given generous allowances, paid for by the kind British taxpayer, they’re sinking their snouts further into the trough in taking a publicly funded pension too – for what is only meant to be a part time role, surely?

Reasonably, under data protection law, we didn’t get the details of who in each council chamber had opted into the local government pension scheme – which takes £1 in £5 of council tax. But as is your right as taxpayers and constituents, if you feel you want to know whether your councillor is taking a pension out of your pocket you can write to your councillors here to ask them if (a) they are on the local government pension scheme and (b) if they do whether they declare it in their register of members interests. It's our money and it's our right to know what the politicians are doing with it!

Tim Aker

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B Lockwood

Tim
I wrote the press earlier this week saying out of a 2per-cent pension increase I would not be increasing my C Tax;It may just buy me another loaf of bread. Freezing this is long over-due and I don’t expect Brown to cap Local Councils he is too full of Lies.
I have questioned our press on councillor’s pensions, it remains to be seen whether I receive a reply.—–Barbara
Steve Robson

should they register the rest of their pay on the register of members interests too?
Many Councillors are full time now. I’m surprised you didn’t know that and don’t support it as you do harp on about democratic accountability. Not the Government’s best idea ever, but nevertheless true.
Diana Donald

Fenland District Council is paying £20k p.a. to an employee who emigrated to Australia last year. He is paid this for one day’s work per week. He doesn’t like Aus, so has moved to New Zealand presumably he can do this due to this very nice earner. Given the number of people out of work, it is totally unacceptable. Many would happily do a full week’s work for £20k. I wrote to Mr Moss, MP who referred me to my MP, James Paice. He wrote “I do not pretend to know what is going on in Fenland DC as I do not represent it, but entirely agree that on the face of it it looks a very odd situation”. End of story. This is what we are paying these bozzos for, to cover the backs of their fellow MPs. This is not what my male relatives put their lives on the line for.