THE scrapping of councillors’ pensions has been described as a “kick in the teeth”.
And one Kirklees councillor raised concerns it could deter young people from joining the council.
Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis confirmed that councillors access to taxpayer-funded pension schemes will be abolished from April 1.
Councillors elected from April will not be entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme and existing councillors with a pension will have their policy terminated at the end of their current term of office.
Local Government Association chairman Sir Merrick Cockel, a Conservative member, described the government move as a “kick in the teeth for those who have dedicated their life to public service” and asked for more talks.
Just two members of the public objected to councillors having pensions in the national consultation.
Clr Hilary Richards, Kirklees Labour member for Golcar, questioned the move at a time when the Government is encouraging young people to have pensions through automatic enrolment.
Clr Richards said: “My concern is the impact on new and young people who want to become a councillor.
“Politics should be about everyone, it shouldn’t be about militating against those that do not earn a working income.
“We do get an allowance of just over £12,500 and that is, in effect, half a wage slip, so any pension contribution we make is for two and a half day’s work.
“If its decided we can’t pay into the pension scheme, it means anyone wanting to become a councillor may only have half a pension if they work for the other two and a half days.
“Regardless of what people think, being a councillor is a full time job. There are some councillors who have full time jobs and are effective councillors, but sacrifices have to be made and some become full time councillors.
“How do we encourage someone of 25 or 35 with the responsibility of rent, a mortgage and family, to live off half a wage slip and not build up a pension from it?
“What situation will young councillors find themselves in when they come to retire but haven’t been able to pay into a pension scheme?”
As well as ward work, Clr Richards sits on the planning panel and is a committee chair. She estimates council work can cover 60 hours a week.
“If I was younger I would think carefully if I wanted to lose half my pension to become a councillor,” she added. “It could mean we have a council of members that can afford not to work or are retired already.”
Recent figures showed 39 of the 69 Kirklees councillors paid into the pension scheme.
A move to scrap it will divide English councillors from their Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts, who can continue to be part of a pension scheme.
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