Plans to increase cabinet councillor allowances in Bolton by 76 per cent have been put on hold after the rise was deemed ‘too high’ by the council leader. An independent three-member panel appointed to look into councillors’ allowances had recommended the payment to the nine executive cabinet members be raised from £7,265 to £12,796 per year.
The independent remuneration panel put forward a report recommending changes to councillor allowances which was considered by the council’s constitutional panel on Wednesday.
The panel is made up of former director of children’s services at Bolton, Margaret Blenkinsop, Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle, who is borough dean of Bolton, and Paul Howard, an NHS professional.
