Walsall council leaders may get big rises
Senior councillors in Walsall could receive increases in allowances worth a total of almost £55,000, it emerged today.
The rise would apply to the council leader, deputy and members of the decision-making cabinet, under new proposals.
It is one of the recommendations put forward by an independent panel which has reviewed allowances for council members.
It aims to bring Walsall in line with other authorities and the matter is due to be discussed at a meeting of the full council on Monday.
Other options include keeping the current rate, but councillors are being recommended by the panel to agree an increase in the allowance budget.
This is despite the cash-strapped authority battling to save £13 million in the next financial year while almost 90 posts are expected to be axed.
If the full increase is approved it would see the council leader's allowance rise by £4,494 to £26,850, the deputy leader's more than double from £8,302 to £17,534 and the eight other cabinet members' allowances rising from £8,302 to £13,425.
