Outcry over ‘loss of office’ payments

8:07am Monday 11th August 2008

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A LEADING Hampshire council tax campaigner has slammed Government proposals to award councillors parachute payments when they are kicked out of office.

Ministers want to bring in "loss of office payments" to ease the blow on those who rely on allowances and "lose their seats through a decision of the electorate".

Under new legislation, likely to go before Parliament in the autumn, councils would be able to make parachute payments on a scale set by their independent pay panels.

But IsItFair? founder Christine Melsom branded the Government plans "unacceptable, undeserved and unaffordable" at a time when council tax bills have doubled in a decade.

She said: "They already receive overgenerous allowances and the option to receive the local government pension which is more than generous.

"Although some councillors look on their council job' as full time employment many are also involved in business and together with allowances and expenses are on a nice little earner."

Many Hampshire councillors are now full-time politicians and, as recently revealed by the Daily Echo, pocket up to £60,000 a year for their multiple roles.