Plaid Cymru’s leader on Caerphilly Council, Colin Mann, has criticised proposals by the Labour-run council to cut the mileage payments to staff who use their cars for work.
He said the reduction in the casual mileage rate from 55p to 50p a mile would hit many low paid staff hard.
Cllr Colin Mann said: “The proposal to cut the casual car mileage rates is ill-judged at the present time and a kick in the teeth for the ordinary council worker. I understand the annoyance and frustration of council employees, particularly after the unlawful essential car and leave allowance buy-outs for chief officers. Many of those that would be affected by these proposed cuts are lower paid staff such as home care workers
“While most council staff have seen their living standards fall dramatically with pay having only risen by a meagre 1% in the past five years,those at the top have enjoyed huge pay rises. This must rub salt into the wounds of the vast majority.
“I strongly believe that all council staff should be treated equally and fairly. These proposals are the exact opposite of fair treatment. There needs to be equality of treatment for all employees of Caerphilly County Borough Council.”
Council workers staged a protest outside council offices on Tuesday against the planned cut.
Labour councillors said they were “disappointed” with the unions’ decision to protest.
"I understand the annoyance and frustration of council employees, particularly after the unlawful essential car and leave allowance buy-outs for chief officers". Can I remind Colin Mann that this happened under PLAID when HE was the Cabinet Member responsible!!
I now see that plaid are jumping on a bandwagon AGAIN. I suppose they would keep the same rate whilst also freezing Council Tax?? Where are Plaid's counter proposals then?? This opposition are a complete joke.
I remember well that a Plaid council awarded a pay rise to senior council employees, including £15,000 per annum to the Chief Executive, in 2011 or 2012. Colin Mann would do well to remember this too.
Its so embarrassing its laughable really. They will never answer these questions though and seem to be getting away with murder. Any worthwhile opposition would explain how they would manage to pay to keep the 55p rate rather than saying its a terrible thing and leaving it at that. I'm sure its workable to keep the rate though but we need the meat on the bones. Come on Colin Mann, how would you pay for it??
Tony, If you read the auditor's report you will see it spelt out quite clearly that officers took decisions on car allowances and leave WITHOUT telling the leader, Cabinet members or indeed any other councillor of any political persuasion. As for alternative suggestions what about starting with a cut in Cabinet members which have increased under Labour and why don't they also take a cut in allowances – so they can show to people that we are in all in together? And Richard I guess Councillor Mann will also remember the multi-million pound cost of the unlawful payments to councillors – a decision pushed through by a Labour Cabinet and a Labour council which has 50 of the 73 members.
Phil, my views on the illegal pay rises and allowances are well documented, both parties are guilty. In your eyes Plaid Cymru does not seem to be able to do wrong but perhaps you remember a Plaid Administration putting £15 million, of our money, into dodgy Icelandic banks?
Phil, you say Councillors should take a cut in allowances to show the people we are in this together. I don't know if you are aware, on Caerphilly Council's website, councillors get 45p per mile and they are proposing 55p to 50p per mile for staff. I know people belittle Councillors but some of them do a brilliant job in their communities and they deserve every penny they get which isn't a lot. A back bench Councillor gets around £13,000 a year as a salary and Mileage allowance etc – the lowest paid staff in Caerphilly Council on the Living Wage are on more than Councillors. I can only admire the job Councillors what they have to do in these tough times, I support the allowance reduction, maybe it should be the same as Councillors to 45p if we are indeed in it altogether. I wouldn't want a Councillors Job for a cash cow but I think what people should be doing is offer an alternative to these cuts because Plaid are certainly offering nothing, they are just dead weight or a very pointless protest group.
PHIL SAYS; "I know people belittle Councillors but some of them do a brilliant job in their communities and they deserve every penny they get"
Name `em.
My sincere apoligies to PHIL for my last posting above.
JOHN SAYS; “I know people belittle Councillors but some of them do a brilliant job in their communities and they deserve every penny they get”
Name `em.
Not Colin Mann Arthur
Tony I agree not Colin Mann but there are a few who do a good job and are very helpful. It seems Arther has had a bad experience but do spill.
Still no word from Colin Mann or ANY Plaid coun then. No shock there then.
Another question could be who is the most useless councillor?
Richard I wanted to respond to your point about Icelandic banks. Councillors from whatever party do not have any part to play in investing money – and neither should they. All local authorities have investment advisors and a lot of police authorities, health boards and other local authorities across the UK put money into Icelandic banks. I think if you check the records at Caerphilly council has been recouped.
The money has not been recouped Phil, there still is, and will always be, a large sum outstanding. On top of this we have lost for ever all the interest/dividend payments this money could have made.
I disagree with your view that councillors should not have a say in what public money is invested. The councillors are elected by us to lay down the rules and boundaries on what the officers are allowed to do. For far too long the power of the councillor has been delegated to employees. This has produced some disasters, as we all read in this on-line paper. Plaid Cymru is as guilty of this abdication of responsibility as anyone.
Richard Williams makes a good point about Plaid Cymru supporting Phil's points. He is right to highlight Plaid abdicating their responsibilities. I would say Plaid Cymru were embarrassingly officer – led in their time. Failing to make decisions was the norm under them.
IMAGINE NO party politics in local government, just independent intelligent members of the public who wish to serve their area, improve services and value for money for the tax payer. Roll on less government for Wales! You may say I am dreaming…..!!
Robbie, the problem encountered by any member of the public who seeks election is cost and resources. I have fought two elections and was sucessfully elected to Caerphilly Town Council. My campaigns were paid for entirely by me and my leaflets were posted through thousands of doors by yours truly, with a bit of help from friends. The political parties fund all of this for their candidates and provide help with leafletting, door knocking, etc.
The parties will continue to dominate because of this. As party membership dwindles, I believe that less than 2% of the population are party members, there will be a growing demand that the tax payer fund their campaigns. Do you think they (the parties in control) will vote for independent candidates get help to cover the cost of standing? I think not.