Majority of councillors not prepared to divulge how they intend to vote on massive pay rise for senior council executives

Rochdale Online attempted to contact all 60 councillors and ask if they are attending the council meeting on Wednesday (9 December) where a final decision will be made regarding the proposed highly controversial huge pay rises for senior council executives. We were able to speak to 48 of the 60 councillors, 12 have not replied.

The vast majority of Labour councillors refused to comment, some admitting they had been told they are "not allowed" to comment. One, Councillor Donna Martin, was put out at being asked the question, 'Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises?' She replied: "That’s none of your business, don’t phone me again."

Replies from a number of Labour councillors indicated that they will make their decision at a Labour group meeting tonight, Monday 9 December.

The majority of Conservative and Lib Dem councillors were also not prepared to answer the question prior to the council meeting on Wednesday but a few were happy to disclose their opposition. For example, Councillor Andy Kelly said: "Yes – Damn straight I will be there.

"I will not be voting for the pay rise but we have our group meeting on Monday evening but I am not changing my position on it and I will not be voting for the pay rise."

Conservative councillor Jim Gartside said he will be voting against the proposals: "I intend on voting against both proposals."

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Councillor Farooq Ahmed
01706 366822
07506057620
farooq.ahmed@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I’m not sure. I haven’t decided yet and will decide on the day.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed
07812 238314
iftikhar.ahmed@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Don’t want to disclose any information at the minute.

Councillor Shakil Ahmed
07812 238315
shakil.ahmed@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes I will be.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Well you will find out won't you.

Councillor Shefali Ahmed
07812 238318
shefali.ahmed@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? No Comment.

Councillor Daalat Ali
07830132141
daalat.ali@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? No Comment.

Councillor Sultan Ali
01706 655061
07812 238313
sultan.ali@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes – I normally do but I have been out of the country and only got back yesterday (5 December).
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I have not had the briefing yet but am going to meet with the relevant people to decide so I don’t yet know.

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick
07890 250677
Jacqui.beswick@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not appropriate to speak about before the meeting so no comment at this time.

Councillor Phillip Bethell
01706 674812
07753 185390
Phillip.Bethell@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Not allowed to discuss it.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not allowed to discuss it.

Councillor Cecile Biant
01706 659898
07970 682846
Cecile.Biant@Rochdale.Gov.UK
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not prepared to say. You will know at the meeting.

Councillor Surinder Biant
01706 659898
07747002288
surinder.biant@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not made up my mind yet. Going to read the reports and then decide.

Councillor Malcolm Boriss
0161 653 7329
malcolm.boriss@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Allen Brett
01706 641203
07841076709
allen.brett@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? It depends. If it is on the record no comment.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? It will depend on what happens on Monday night.

Councillor Martin Burke
07527 424168
martin.burke@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Wait to hear the argument on the night.

Councillor Philip Burke
07968 203271
Philip.Burke@Rochdale.Gov.UK
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? We can’t comment at the moment.

Councillor Jonathan Burns
0161 643 5084
07904 041 504
jonathan.burns@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Robert Clegg
01706 376685
robert.clegg@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? No – I am in hospital on Wednesday to undergo a procedure which was booked before the meeting was arranged but would have loved to be there.

Councillor Karen Danczuk
01706 750135
karen.danczuk@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Janet Darnbrough
01706 378150
janet.darnbrough@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I can’t tell you that over the phone so no comment.

Councillor Peter Davison
01706 639471
peter.davison@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley
01706 377903
07802 673 271
ashley.dearnley@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I'll be doing that at the council meeting.

Councillor Ian Duckworth
01706 648393
ian.duckworth@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? We’ll be having a group meeting beforehand to finalise everything so don’t want to comment before then.

Councillor Raymond Dutton
01706 367933
Raymond.Dutton@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
No reply.

Councillor Neil Emmott
01706 364247
neil.emmott@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Susan Emmott
01706 364247
susan.emmott@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? That’s up to me.

Councillor Richard Farnell
07812 238324
richard.farnell@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I tell you what why don’t you turn up on Wednesday and find out.

Councillor James Gartside
01706 658443
07812 238319
James.Gartside@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I intend on voting against both proposals.

Councillor Jane Gartside
01706 658443
07812 228281
jane.gartside@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Against at the moment.

Councillor Alan Godson
0161 653 2728
alan.godson@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes will be attending.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Been told we can’t make any comments until after the meeting.

Councillor Pat Greenall
07599355924
pat.greenall@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor John Hartley
01706 373106
07812 238316
john.hartley@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? No Comment – waiting until the group meeting on Monday before making any final decisions.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse
07812 041 420
wera.hobhouse@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Michael Holly
01706 643841
michael.holly@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? You will see on the day.

Councillor Jean Hornby
01706 341159
Jean.Hornby@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I’m not prepared to tell you that.

Councillor Aftab Hussain
07968 734154
Aftab.Hussain2@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Having a group meeting on Monday and will decide from that.

Councillor Peter Joinson
0161 6546656
peter.joinson@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Andy Kelly
01706 342821
07947609277
andrew.kelly@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes – Damn straight I will be there.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I will not be voting for the pay rise but we have our group meeting on Monday evening but I am not changing my position on it and I will not be voting for the pay rise.

Councillor Colin Lambert
01706 924800
colin.lambert@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Terry Linden
07956 993 619
terry.linden@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Up to me to decide on the day after I have heard all of the proposals.

Councillor Donna Martin
0161 653 4317
07890 250675
donna.martin@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? That’s none of your business, don’t phone me again. 

Councillor Alan McCarthy
07527 421514
alan.mccarthy@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes – all councillors have been summoned
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not prepared to say at the minute. We haven’t had our group meeting yet where we will discuss the reports and make a decision.

Councillor Stephanie Mills
07794585279
Stephanie.Mills@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Not sure.

Councillor Amna Mir
01706 355727
07890 250631
amna.mir@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? No comment from me.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? No comment from me.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew
01706 657143 / 01706 523266
dale.mulgrew@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Haven’t had a group meeting yet but our stance is that we don’t support the pay rises.

Councillor Lil Murphy
0161 643 6769
lil.murphy@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? I have been off ill but if I am better then yes I will be in attendance.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I’ll be voting against.

Councillor Andrew Neilson
01706 639291
07763901051
andrew.neilson@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I will be voting against.

Councillor Shaun O'Neill
01706 633585
07812 238323
shaun.o'neill@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? We will have a group meeting on Monday so we will know more about it then.

Councillor Liam O'Rourke
07812 238325
liam.o'rourke@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Linda Robinson
01706 621327
linda.robinson@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? No comment at this time.

Councillor Hilary Rodgers
07917208719
hilary.rodgers@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Against.

Councillor Martin Rodgers
01706 643594
07807237876
Martin.Rodgers@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? We are having a Labour group meeting tonight (Monday 9 December) so I will tell you after that.

Councillor Peter Rush
01706 364057
peter.rush@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Have to be independent because I am the chair but I have very strong opinions on the matter.

Councillor Billy Sheerin
01706 523425
07931896032
billy.sheerin@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? Wouldn’t even dream of telling you because we haven’t had our group meeting to decide.

Councillor Ann Stott JP
01706 647276
07708 978489
Ann.Stott2@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? That will come out in the meeting.

Councillor Patricia Sullivan
0161 762 1129
07967 985240
Patricia.Sullivan@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? – Not discussing it at the minute but the meeting will be a good one.

Councillor Carol Wardle
0161 653 6908
carolwardle1@gmail.com
No reply.

Councillor Shah Wazir
07977070623
shah.wazir@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? That’s the million dollar question isn’t it? I will be voting with my conscience.

Councillor June West
07887677203
june.west@rochdale.gov.uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes.
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? That is for me to know. I’ve not decided yet.

Councillor Peter Williams
0161 643 3455
peter.williams@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Peter Winkler
07890 256814
peter.winkler@rochdale.gov.uk
No reply.

Councillor Mohammed Zaman
01706 344884
07811 430024
Mohammed.Zaman@Rochdale.Gov.Uk
Are you attending the council meeting on Wednesday? Yes I hope so
Are you going to vote for or against the pay rises? I have not made my mind up yet but we have our group meeting tonight and I will make a decision from there.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/83970/council-overview-and-scrutiny-committee-propose-further-recommendations-regarding-chief-executive-pay-rise

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/83966/employment-committee-recommend-massive-pay-rise-for-chief-executive