Memebers do not get a wage they get an allowance.

I have been quoted that in my opinion Councillors doing their job properly are a seriously undervalued asset. I stand by that statement having had five years of public duty. During that time I have been impressed by the contribution made to the community by Councillors of all political persuasions and dismayed at the minority view portrayed by some challenged persons as to the effectiveness of the local democratic system and the part elected Councillors play in bringing cohesion to their communities. It is so easy to send snide comments to the press under anonymity, it is much harder and braver to get out there and do something to make things better. It does of course mean some sacrifices; it is a seven day a week responsibility, evening and daytime meetings, weekend phone calls, a massive reading load and responsibility to prepare for sometimes very complicated issues. Statutory responsibilities and accountability described in stark legal language and declaration of any pecuniary interest beyond anything seen in normal commerce. All this and more to be part of the essential democratic process which is designed to get communities more responsible for setting their local standards. I could go on and as you might perceive I am angst by the headlines about the changes to the allowances given to CBC councillors. To start with the process determining the level of allowances is under the control of something called the independent remuneration panel. This committee has countywide duties to do exactly what its title says and to include the allowances given to Councillors. This allowance covers the simple costs associated with properly executing the responsibilities some of which are described above. Costs including home working expense like telephone charges, all Christchurch Councillors provide their own computers and paper and print cartridges. Wear and tear and depreciation on hardware, motor vehicles which have to be insured and fuelled because there is no fuel allowance for journeys within the Borough and if you are on the planning committee the mileage can be considerable. When the panel visited us in November of last year they were very concerned CBC had fallen so far behind other Dorset councils in the levels of these allowances that they recommended a considerably greater increase and a special duties structure which I thought impossible to deliver. What is not highlighted is that in order to comply with the recommendations some senior members had to take a severe cut to their allowance in order to reduce the overall to what I considered an acceptable total. All allowances are taxable; the average across the country is £7000 per annum for an average of 20 hours work per week. Most councillors do many more hours than that! So if you think that CBC Councillors do it for the money just do the sums for yourself.