COUNCILLORS have voted to increase their allowances by more than £16,000 collectively despite cutting services in Colchester and threatening to axe jobs to save money.

During Colchester Council's last full council meeting councillors approved a 3.88 per cent increase to their basic annual allowances.

This increase means the basic allowance level for each councillor will now sit at £7,576 per annum.

The overall allowance budget, meanwhile, which also takes into consideration special responsibility allowances, will rise to a total £571,200 compared to last year's £554,600.

Out of the city's 51 councillors, 16 voted for the motion, while 12 voted against it.

Eight councillors were absent for the vote while 14 abstained, not including mayor John Jowers. 

Those who voted for the increase includes councillors Cory, Cox, Harris, Hogg, King, Kirkby-Taylor, Law, McLean, Nissen, Rippingale, Scordis, Smalls, Smith, Warnes, J. Young, T. Young.

Those who voted against it were councillors Arnold, Davidson, Hagon, Laws, Lissimore, Luxford Vaughan, Maclean, Naylor, Rowe, Smithson, Spindler, Willetts.

Councillors Barton, Bentley, Burrows, Buston, Dundas, Ellis, Goacher, Goss, Jay, Moffat, Mannion, Powling, Sommers, Sunnucks, and the Mayor (Jowers), abstained.

Meanwhile, councillors Appleton, Barber, Bloomfield, Lilley, McCarthy, Pearson, Tate, The Deputy Mayor (Scott-Boutell) were not present.

The decision to increase their allowances comes after the council revealed it was considering drastic measures in a bid to save £600,000 a year, including making some staff redundant. 

Gazette: Speech - James Cracknell speaking during the public questionsSpeech - James Cracknell speaking during the public questions (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “Following careful consideration, councillors voted to increase the Members’ Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances by 3.88 per cent, effective from the Annual General Meeting.

“This decision aligns with the national increase in staff allowances set by the National Joint Council.”

“We understand public funds must be used responsibly, and this increase was not taken lightly.

“However, it’s crucial the allowance councillors receive to help them fulfil their duties retains its value.

"This allows them to effectively represent their communities. The Independent Remuneration Panel supported the proposals.”

“The current Members’ Allowances Scheme did not address situations where officers receive a fixed sum increase rather than a percentage raise.

"To address this, the scheme now clearly outlines how allowances will be adjusted in such circumstances. This ensures transparency and consistency moving forward."

Gazette: Legacy- The budget was also Mayor John Jower's last full council meetingLegacy- The budget was also Mayor John Jower's last full council meeting (Image: Newsquest)

James Cracknell, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Colchester, has now hit out at the council for approving a 3.88 per cent increase to allowances during a cost-of-living crisis. 

In a speech he made during the meeting’s public questions said "as a new resident with an untainted view of local issues” he did not support the council’s budget “spending millions on commercial projects that are delayed”.

He added: “How can city council jeopardise the services it must offer to instead chase unviable commercial ventures putting the future of the council at risk."

Colchester Council bosses have said the "proposed increase" aligns with the council’s budget for 2023-24, so they believe it not result in any additional financial strain. 

An earlier version of this article said all Green councillors voted for the motion. This was not correct.

Green councillor Mark Goacher abstained from the vote. 

We apologise for this error.