In May 2020, the Bury Labour Cabinet handed themselves a £25k pay rise. Now, in the upcoming budget, they're trying to save £20k by dimming the lights throughout our borough. It's not rocket science: let's cut Labour's allowances to keep the lights on.
Source: Cabinet Report - https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/documents/s26060/FINAL%20Full%20Council%20Consolidated%20Budget%202021-22%20final%20for%20publication.pdf
The Labour-run Bury Council are proposing to make a £20,000 saving to the 2021/22 budget by dimming the lights.
The Conservative Group believe street lights should not be dimmed at night because street lighting helps accident prevention as well as reduces crime levels in areas.
Cllr. Nick Jones, Leader of the Conservative Group said:
Street lighting is vitally important and helps residents feel safe at night. I firmly believe that dimming street lights will make residents feel unsafe and could potentially encourage anti-social behaviour.
The proposal would save a mere £20,000 next year. To keep the street lights on we will cut the excessive Labour Councillor allowances. In May, the Conservative Group tabled an amendment to stop an increase in Labour allowances which currently cost the taxpayers of Bury thousands. The Labour Cabinet awarded themselves a pay rise just months ago, and now they are struggling to keep the lights on.
What do the Labour Allowances look like?
Labour Cabinet
Leader of the Council, £27,302.70
Deputy Leader, Children Young People and Skills: £16,387.35
First Deputy, Health and Wellbeing: £10,992.51
Cabinet Member for Communities and Emergency Planning: £10,922.51
Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change: £10,922.51
Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR: £10,922.51
Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure: £10,922.51
Cabinet Member for the Cultural Economy: £10,922.51
Cabinet Member for Housing Services: £10,922.51
Labour Deputy Cabinet
Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth:£1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Children Services: £1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing: £1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing: £1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change:£1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing Services £1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR: £1, 432.77
Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure: £1, 432.77
Committee Chairs
Chair of Planning Control Committee: £6, 829.25
Chair of Licensing and Safety Panel: £ 6, 829.25
Chair of Audit Committee: £6, 829.25
Chair of Health Scrutiny Committee: £6, 829.25
Outside Bodies
Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority: £2, 300.56
Source: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/documents/s22143/version%204%20CA.pdf