Ashfield District Council reduces councillor expenses in pledge to stop paying politicians for 'just turning up'

The Ashfield Independents have today pushed through a long standing promise to cut councillor’s allowances.
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Voting for the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel – councillors on Ashfield District Council voted to scrap the £500 bonus that Labour introduced for just turning up at meetings.

The savings will save the authority £23,100 per year or £92,400 over the full term of the council. The decision was made at the first ‘virtual’ meeting carried out on ‘Zoom.’

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Councillor Jason Zadrozny, the leader of Ashfield District Council said, “I promised to scrap this extra money when I was an opposition council and I forcibly made this point with the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Ashfield District Council Leader Jason ZadroznyAshfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny
Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny
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“The total savings of £92,400 will go straight back into providing frontline services. We never agreed with a windfall for just turning up to do your job. It doesn’t happen anywhere else and shouldn’t happen here.

Councillors are taking a pay cut because it is the right and proper thing to do.”

Other savings that will be generated include a reduction in allowances for chairs and vice chairs of scrutiny committees.

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Coun Zadrozny added: “Our councillors work extraordinarily hard – our roles in our communities have never been more important as we reach out to help the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic. It is only right and proper however that we listen to an independent panel. We have done exactly that and I am sure the public will welcome this.”

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