Croydon councillor urged to dump one of his three jobs (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon councillor urged to dump one of his three jobs

3:05pm Wednesday 27th January 2010 in News By Kirsty Whalley

Croydon councillor urged to dump one of his three jobs

Croydon councillor Steve O’Connell has again faced calls to step down from one of his three public sector jobs.

Last year the review body on senior salaries found the Purley councillor earned more than the deputy mayor.

He receives £52,910 as the Greater London Assembly (GLA) member for Croydon and Sutton, as well as raking in £43,861 as a Croydon Council councillor and cabinet member for regeneration.

He also earns £9,327 for sitting on the Metropolitan Police Authority.

At a council meeting on Monday, Councillor Brian Cakebread called on him to step down as a cabinet member to focus on his GLA role in light of the recent MPs’ expenses scandal.

But in a written answer to Coun Cakebread, he said: “Croydon Council and the borough’s residents and businesses benefit greatly from my dual role.

“My knowledge of the GLA family of agencies and my close working relationship with the mayor and his key advisors is having significant positive outcomes for Croydon.”

He said he had successfully lobbied for the tram extensions and for funding from the LDA, Transport for London and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Councillors also came under fire from local residents who asked questions about councillors’ allowances. Angela Dengel asked why councillors received the highest basic rate of annual allowances in London.

Councillor Sara Bashford said Croydon had the largest population in London and councillors oversaw one of London’s largest budgets.

She said the council was completely transparent about members’ allowances.

In Parliament on Tuesday MP Andrew Pelling asked for guidance on reducing the rate of councillor’s pay in line with reductions in spending on services.

He said: “I don’t think Croydon people will be much impressed by Councillor Bashford’s answer when the average pay for councillors in 2008-09 was £ 21,140, when the bill is £6m in councillors’ salaries over four years and when Councillor Bashford receives £43,339 a year.

“They’ll think that is a salary for a full time job.”