Quote:
Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson
Attending full Council meetings is very small part of the work Councillors do.
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I'm fully aware of that.
Nevertheless, there is a parallel with the role of an MP.
Sitting in the chamber, asking questions and going through the division lobby is only a small part of the job. Attending committees, dealing with constituent's problems, lobbying for their constituency interests and other roles besides. That is the same role as a councillor, except swap ward for constituency.
The House, however, sits 5 days a week for the best part of a year.
Don't you think, therefore, that the Borough would be better served if our elected local representatives were to meet in full a little bit longer than 18 hours a year?
Here's a little sum.
MP's salary = £65K. Assuming the house meets fully 150 days a year, 8 hours = 1200hrs. £65K divided by 1200 = £54pds per hour.
I'll guess at £8,000pds average allowance for Councillors (I could be way out)
£8,000pds divided by 18 = £444pds per hour.
Draw your own conclusion.