COUNCILLORS' PAY

I WAS interested to read Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon's comments recently regarding councillors' pay.

Because there is such a wide diversity of serving councillors' income from other sources, it is a difficult subject to address.

In addition to the work they do for the council, some have full-time jobs, some have part-time jobs, others are retired - and therefore the amount of time they can devote to council work commitments vary enormously.

Also, there is wide diversity in allowances paid to councillors depending on positions of responsibility that they hold. I believe the public would be better served and receive better value for money if there were to be a major change.

At present, most wards are represented by two or three councillors. On Stockton Borough Council we have 56 councillors, with varying allowances from the basic £6,000, which they all receive, and up to an additional payment of £17,000 for the mayor.

It would make more sense to abolish all of the varying payments and have one full-time paid councillor representing each ward, all receiving the same income. - Keith Dewison, former councillor for Billingham North Ward, Stockton Borough Council