Before there are outraged responses to this contribution, I'll add some context to what I'm saying. I was elected way back in 1986 and served four terms as a councillor, the only 'pay' we received was in the form of allowances. We had the committee system which meant a damned sight more work than the current autocratic shambles, and was more democratic and inclusive for ALL councillors from ALL parties. We got a set very basic allowance for meetings attended which lasted up to two hours, and that increased should they go on longer, plus we could claim a mileage allowance if we had to drive over six miles on council business. There was a system of fairly modest 'special responsibility allowances' for those colleagues who were either Chairs of main committees, or other various positions, at that time many councillors were also representatives of Hounslow on London wide local government bodies - such as The London Boroughs Grants Committee which meant travelling up to County Hall or to other venues, you could claim the travel expenses back made by public transport. That was without the surgeries and other activities in our ward and whatever else was required. Most of us were also very active in the politics of the local party too, reporting every month to our ward members. Bear in mind we didn't have computers, mobiles etc. although we did have excellent secretarial back-up. Even then many meetings could go on into the night. The vast majority of us also worked full time at the day job, which varied with people working on London Underground, at Heathrow Airport, which involved juggling shift work, this was also done in tandem with normal family responsibilities, some of us having quite young children too, so had to arrange childcare - no allowance for that was available. The point is no-one is asking for anyone to be out of pocket or to be excluded from being a councillor because they would find the financial angle difficult, that was why, in part the 'new' system of an actual salary based system was brought in. However, what has been lost since then is the underlying principle of 'civic duty', basically being a volunteer to try and improve the area in which we live and work for everyone. Like sport and so many other things - when money comes in a lot of things get lost. Similarly over many years it has been difficult to recruit school governors, purely a voluntary role. Payment for this has been mooted many times, then the question is, what is motivating people who come forward then but didn't previously? I know whenever I have suggested a return to the previous committee system of local governance I have had comments that it that would make being on the council 'hard work' and people wouldn't do it. If you are politically active you should be aware of what the role entails and either you are prepared to accept it and understand the role you are trying to get elected for or not. At the moment it is difficult to see exactly what it is we're getting for all that money in so many cases.
Vanessa Smith ● 749d