So, those who voted for Argyll and Bute council tax to leap by almost 10 per cent also chose to cushion themselves from the hit – and then some – by granting themselves a whopping 22 per cent pay increase.
Hmm. I have never been – and I suspect most of you haven’t either – in a position to choose my own pay rise. And I am damned sure our elected cooncillors should not be either.
Indeed, I endorse completely the words of Councillor Jennifer Kean who said she will not be accepting a pay increase given to councillors – and branded the rise of up to 22 per cent as “shameful”.
She said: “I fully understand that councillors’ remuneration is set by the government under the 2025 regulations and that by law the council must pay the remuneration as set out by the regulations.
“However, I am also fully aware that no councillor is duty bound to accept any wage increase.
“Morally, it is utterly shameful for us as representatives of our communities to accept such an increase when council tax is clearly going to increase, social rent is increasing and the cost of living generally also continues to skyrocket for our constituents.”
Hear, hear! Shame on you.
It is, you will not be surprised to learn, many years since I was at school, but I still did a double-take at the story of Oban High pupils enjoying a trip to… Costa Rica.
Great heavens! How exotic and, I assume, expensive was that jaunt? I managed to check my unfortunate and unbidden bout of seething envy as I read on to discover they had been volunteering to help disadvantaged children in that benighted land. It was not all work and the lucky Oban kids just loved it.
If memory serves, the most exotic trip I ever went on was to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Nowt wrong with that but I know which of the school trips I would have preferred!
What do you think? Send your comments to editor@obantimes.co.uk
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.