News from Croydon Labour

Croydon’s Tory Council Leader grabs 22% pay rise for himself

At a time when Council employees are being told they will have their pay frozen, their pensions cut and that their jobs are at risk, comes news that Councillor Mike Fisher is proposing to award himself a massive 22% increase in the allowance he receives from the Council, which is funded by Croydon’s taxpayers.

These proposals are contained in a report that will be considered at the Corporate Services Committee on 30 June. This committee has a majority of Tory Councillors so even if Labour Councillors object they will be outvoted.

This proposal is particularly hypocritical, coming as it does at precisely the moment that the Tory Prime Minister has said that “we are all in this together”. Clearly Cllr Fisher thinks that does not apply to him. Croydon’s Labour Councillors are demanding Cllr Fisher changes his mind, shows some leadership and refuses to accept the pay hike.

Cllr Tony Newman, Leader of the Labour Group said: “For Councillor Fisher to have his snout in the trough and be seeking to pay himself this outrageous amount at the same time as his government’s policies and cuts are seeing so many council staff set to lose their jobs is frankly disgusting. He should be ashamed of himself. He is treating taxpayers, Council staff and the people of Croydon with contempt.”

Other news from Croydon Labour

• Tories clap and cheer as Croydon slashes services - 8 March 2011
• "Black History Month is a left wing vanity project" claims Croydon Tory - 18 November 2010
• Croydon Conservatives target Timebridge Youth Centre for closure - 11 November 2010