Disgust at vote to increase pay for councillors

Kempston Central and East Councillor Anthony Boutall said he was “astonished” that “councillors should be feathering their own nests” while Bedford Borough Council is facing increasing cuts to its budget.

The decision to raise the allowance by one per cent was taken at the full council meeting on Wednesday, January 13.

It means the basic allowance will rise from £10,322 to £10,425 from April 1.

Cllr Boutall said: “Every single Lib Dem and Labour Councillor at the meeting, including the Mayor, his team, and every other Kempston Councillor, voted to increase their own pay at the expense of taxpayers, and I think it is disgraceful.”

Councillors’ allowances are recommended by an independent remuneration panel.

A council spokesman said: “The Council received a report from the independent panel and Councillors voted not to depart from the panel’s recommendation.”