Published: Friday, 30th July, 2010 9:00am

Ex-mayor refuses pay rise in protest

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A FORMER Slough mayor has refused to accept a huge increase in his members' allowance as residents face service cuts and job losses.

Independent Cllr David MacIsaac publicly refused the controversial 46% pay rise, which was given the go-ahead at full council on Monday.

The decision was made despite warnings that it would be a slap in the face of residents and council staff facing pay freezes, job losses and cutbacks in services.

Cllr MacIsaac, who was the only member to announce he would refuse the cash, said: "It is wrong, particularly now when we're facing cuts, that we as councillors are accepting any increases and especially for extra responsibilities. That is a budget, which is not ring-fenced and can be moved somewhere else and be used to save important services.

"I will not accept any increase, I am happy with the allowance I am getting."

The Independent Remuneration Panel's review of the council's members' allowances recommended an increase in the basic pay from £4,847 to £7,100, arguing the existing basic allowance was less than neighbouring councils and less than the rate of inflation.

Council leader, Cllr Rob Anderson, who will see his allowance go up from £16,908 to £18,460, said: "We need to bear in mind that this is not to reward but to recompense in terms of what people could earn if they concentrated on their normal jobs and the fact that their careers are blighted."

For the full story see this week's Observer.