RECOMMENDATIONS on how councillors should be paid have been accepted by East Herts District Council.

The recommendations were made by a panel of independent members led by film critic Barry Norman.

The panel acknowledged the time and demands placed on councillors, but despite an element of community service, councillors had been insufficiently recompensed for their efforts in the past.

Panel members recommended that all 50 of East Herts councillors be paid a basic allowance of £4,500 to cover the cost of a telephone, stationary and the use of home space for office use as well as the time required to attend regular meetings, visit sites and deal with constituents' problems and queries.

They also recommended several Special Responsibility Allowances for the chairmen of committees, executive members, the deputy leader and leader of the council.

Leader of East Herts Council Councillor Mike Carver has thanked the members of the panel.

He said: "They gave their time voluntarily to this council and have produced a very comprehensive piece of work. I would like to reiterate that this is not pay, it is an allowance and takes into account the community element of being a councillor."

November 1, 2001 17:10