§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what considerations underlie his policy of ensuring that local authority councillors receive a basic allowance. [105520]
§ Ms Beverley HughesOur policy, as set out in "Modern Local Government"—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014), is that financial support for councillors must reinforce the culture of the modern council and address, as far as possible, any disincentives to serving in local politics. Basic allowance is intended to recognise the time commitment expected of all councillors, including such inevitable calls on their time as meetings with officers and attendance at political group meetings.