Tony Devenish: Seven practical messages for local authorities

Talk of being “cut to the bone” is nonsense. Here are some challenges councillors should be making about unnecessary spending.

Why do some Tories think it appropriate to give themselves pay rises in a time of austerity?

The latest council leader to vote to increase his own allowances talks of himself as a business leader, not a public servant.

Councillor allowances boosted in Cardiff

Chairing a committee is paid at the rate of over £2,000 per meeting.

Judy Terry: The public sector pay cap should apply to Council chief executives too

Last year a council Chief Executive received an eight per cent rise, taking her salary to £170,000 – whilst most of her staff were stuck with the basic one per cent

Joel Davidson: It is time to ditch three member wards in London

We should have fewer councillors – but they should be full time.

Judy Terry: The Grenfell Tower fire illustrated a lack of local leadership

Attacks on the Prime Minister were unfair and unreasonable – the local authority was the lead.

Paul Cooper: Councillors should not be given free iPhones

When it comes to fiscal prudency it is important to set a good example.

Simon Cooke: Labour council leader cuts services but refurbishes her own office

Bradford faces real challenges Labour prefers to spend money on frills and fripperies.

Judy Terry: An anti-establishment message will have potency in the county council elections too

Think twice before giving a Chief Executive approaching retirement an 11 per cent increase on an already high salary.

Remuneration Panels on councillor allowances should be unpaid

In Wales councillors are paid a basic allowance of £13,300 – in Scotland it’s over £16,000.

Judy Terry: If we can manage with fewer MPs, then why can’t we manage with fewer councillors?

A switch to unitary authorities would improve accountability.

Labour by-election candidate is paid £81,598 a year in councillor allowances

Cllr Jim McMahon has argued there was “no alternative” to a Council Tax rise.

The Joe Anderson affair shows the case for schools becoming academies

When the school was under local authority control it was willing to carry on paying the Mayor money for nothing – as an academy it stopped doing so.

Judy Terry: If MPs are banned from working in the real world, will councillors be next?

Officers who advise councillors have little or no external experience – we need those who understand business.

Judy Terry: Do we need so many councillors?

I can’t be alone in noticing that some people never even open their papers