RECENTLY a copy of the local Tory's propaganda sheet In Touch was delivered to my home. The headline was, "Labour and LibDems want you to pay for councillors' pensions".
It went on to quote dear old Cllr. Terry Glastonbury as being outraged by the proposal.
Intrigued, I did a little research.
It seems that the Government, concerned that most councillors were elderly or retired and that many younger people were deterred from standing for election as it may harm their career prospects, made a concession.
The rules were changed in 2004 to allow councillors to join their local government pension scheme based on the income from their councillors' allowances.
Many if not most councils in England now allow councillors to join the scheme. The Independent Remuneration Panel that makes recommendations to Gloucestershire County Council has consistently recommended that the pension scheme should be open to county councillors. This has been blocked by the Conservative administration.
However, the same pension fund covers the Forest of Dean District Council which does allow councillors to join the scheme.
When the Forest of Dean District Council last week debated their allowances, Cllr. Bruce Hogan pointed out to them that they were about to confirm the following recommendation.
Pensions: It is recommended that all councillors should continue to have the opportunity to join the scheme.
On these grounds, Cllr Hogan invited the Conservatives, in view of their publicly stated position, to reject the report.
Every Conservative, including the outraged Terry Glastonbury, voted for the report and the recommendation.
Could this be because, of the five current district councillors who are members of the pension scheme, two are Conservatives?
Hypocrisy? You judge. – Pat Evans.