TWO Thurrock councillors are set for a windfall of an allowance backdated to May.
Lynn Worrall became leader of the council in May and announced she would create two new deputy cabinet member roles with immediate effect. Cici Manwa, Labour councillor for Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park, were appointed to support Vikki Hartstean in her role as cabinet member for children’s equalities and diversity, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
Aaron Green, Labour councillor for West Thurrock and South Stifford, was also appointed deputy to support Lee Watson cabinet member for good growth agenda and economic development.
At the annual council meeting it was said appointments would bring “additional strength and depth to the Council’s leadership and reflect best practice in local government”.
A report to full council on July 23 says an independent remuneration panel has now set the remuneration for the posts as half the cabinet members’ Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) – £5,997 per annum and backdated to May when they took on the roles. The cost of two additional SRAs equates to £11,994 per annum,
Ms Worrall, said: “The role of deputy cabinet member is commonly used in councils to add capacity to the cabinet including providing policy support, political leadership on projects or programmes and engagement with residents and stakeholders.
“I announced the appointment of the two roles in May’s annual council, and requested that a report be brought to July Council to establish a suitable Special Responsibility Allowance for the two deputy cabinet member roles.”
A report to full council said: “It is proposed that special responsibility allowance, which is the equivalent of 50 per cent of a cabinet members allowance is appropriate. This is proposed on the basis of the job role and commitments and seniority but also benchmarking with other authorities who have an SRA for similar roles.
“The council is required to consult with its Independent Remuneration Panel, when considering proposals in relation to its members allowance scheme.”
It added: “It is proposed to backdate the SRA to the appointment of the current two deputy cabinet members on May 22 because the appointees have been carrying out the duties of the role since this date and this is permitted by the regulations.”
