AN Essex council is considering spending around a quarter of a million pounds on political assistants, to “help councillors do the basics in their jobs”, a meeting has heard. Basildon Borough Council could spend around £250,000 on the three political assistants, with each one earning around £80,000 a year, council documents show.
The assistants would be local government employees who undertake research and provide administrative support for the main political groups, the meeting was told. If agreed, it would see an assistant for each political leader of the Conservative, Reform and Labour parties.
Andy Barnes, Conservative leader of the council, said: “We expect the salary range for these positions to be around half the salary previously paid to the leader’s office role, in addition, by foregoing an allowance increase, we have further offset additional costs, with the remainder being found from within existing budgets.”
He also said appointing the assistants will “allow for better relationships between political groups”. He also told the meeting that it will “deliver better results for members and more importantly the residents we represent”.
Papers from the meeting state that there is no “current specific” budget for the new roles. The documents also state that the figures given are maximum salaries and could be lower if staff are recruited.
Independent group leader Kerry Smith told the meeting residents “want” a new pride team to clean up the borough, and three more road sweepers, “not tea makers for politicians.”
He added: “I think for a councillor you have to get your hands dirty, do your casework and your own research. I think having political assistants takes that skill away. The public would like to see cleaner streets, rather than someone saying there, councillors, there’s your cup of tea, and your creamy biscuits, that’s not what it’s about, it’s about serving the people.”
Labour councillor Jack Ferguson said the plans are “not acceptable” and “poorly thought out.” He added the council should invest the money “in the very services our residents depend on.”
At the meeting on Thursday (June 18), the councillors agreed the plans should be sent for more consideration by the overview and scrutiny committee later this month. Earlier in the meeting, the councillors voted against increasing their own allowances.
