Letter: The Lib Dem Executive Does Not Deserve a Pay Rise

Published on: 15 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 15 Nov, 2023

From: Joss Bigmore

a R4GV borough councillor for Merrow and leader of the R4GV group at GBC

Last month, Council Leader Julia McShane [Lib Dem, Westborough] narrowly avoided a vote of no confidence. Councillors from all opposition groups expressed concern at the arrogance shown by her Executive when it came to sharing information and treating the backbenches with respect.

It seems the Lib Dems have learnt nothing from this experience. On Monday [November 13], we found out, only from a report in the media, that the Family Pool at the Spectrum Leisure Centre is closing for a month. Residents are rightly furious at the clash with the Christmas Holidays and the Executive members responsible have not bothered to share any extra information that we could pass to those concerned.

Since the Lib Dem Executive has been in place, they have cancelled two out of six formal Executive meetings, seven out of eight Executive Advisory Boards, and a third of scheduled Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

Are they avoiding scrutiny? Are they bereft of ideas? Are they content to let the council officers run the council? Or is it all of the above?

Residents deserve better. As an aside, the Executive will be considering a report soon that proposes to give the council leader an almost 30 per cent pay increase.

The Lib Dems are correctly vocal about rewards for failure when it comes to Thames Water so I assume they will also be refusing any pay increases for their inept and idle Executive.

Responses to Letter: The Lib Dem Executive Does Not Deserve a Pay Rise

Jules Cranwell Reply

November 16, 2023 at 4:58 am

A pay rise for a leader who demonstrates zero leadership, and refuses to engage with the public or the press? Not from my council tax. I do not approve.
Paul Spooner Reply

November 16, 2023 at 6:35 am

I find it extraordinary that the Lib Dem administration should be proposing any increase in their allowances at this time. The borough council is failing under their tenure. May I suggest that a cut in allowances for Executive members would be more appropriate?

Paul Spooner is a former Conservative borough councillor and leader of GBC.
- Jules Cranwell Reply
  
  November 17, 2023 at 6:21 am
  
  A bit hypocritical, isn’t it? I seem to recall that Paul Spooner presided over a very large increase in Executive allowances.
  - Chris Early Reply
    
    November 17, 2023 at 12:25 pm
    
    The Tories must think people have very short memories!
    
    Still, it’sgood to see them online. They usually fail to engage much at all, except in the run-up to elections. Clearly getting used to opposition isn’t easy, in a more competitive environment.