Councillors overpaid due to ‘administrative error’
Oldham councillors have been overpaid for three consecutive years due to an administrative error, with basic allowances increasing by 1.7-11% annually instead of the intended amounts. The council is auditing the issue, estimating a total overpayment of around £2,000 across 60 councillors. The error has raised concerns about broader payroll inefficiencies, as the payroll process has been rated 'weak' or 'inadequate' for seven of the last eight years. The issue was flagged privately but not publicly disclosed during a council meeting, leading to accusations of a cover-up, which the council denies. The exact overpayment amount and recovery process remain unclear.
Oldham Councillors Overpaid for Three Years Due to Administrative Error
Oldham councillors have received inflated allowances for three consecutive years because of an administrative error, the council has confirmed. The mistake affects all 60 members who receive the base £12,212 annual allowance, with those holding cabinet positions getting even larger overpayments.
Basic allowances were supposed to increase between 1.7% and 11% annually, but councillors received more than these intended amounts. While the council estimates the total overpayment at approximately £2,000 across all members, an audit is underway to determine the precise figures.
Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani expressed alarm at the revelation: “I understand the financial implication is pretty small. But the level of ineptitude it reveals is shocking. My concern is that the payroll process [the cause of the issue] has been rated ‘weak’ or ‘inadequate’ for seven out of the eight last years. And it’s not being addressed.”
The error came to light through an email to political group leaders and was discussed at a private mayoral briefing on July 16, just before a full council meeting where allowance discussions were abruptly removed from the agenda.
Conservative councillor Lewis Quigg criticized the handling of the situation on Facebook: “The fact that it was not made public at the meeting smacks of a coverup, when it is clear it is a cockup. If someone has been overpaid, then they should pay it back. Residents who don’t pay their Council tax on time are not afforded the luxury of subbing out the decision.”
A council spokesperson denied cover-up allegations, stating group leaders were informed immediately upon discovery. The council has committed to publishing the exact overpayment amount once the audit concludes, though recovery procedures remain unclear, particularly for former councillors who have left the authority.
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