Matt Vickers MP has announced that 100% of his councillor salary will be donated to local Stockton-based charities
Having remained in his post as a councillor for Hartburn ward, which otherwise would have lost a representative due to local elections being cancelled as a result of the pandemic, the MP for Stockton South announced that local charities Teesside Dementia Links, The Moses Project and The Don War Memorial Museum & Hub will receive all of his £9,300 councillor salary, which is the base salary every Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councillor is entitled to.
The nearly five-figure sum that Matt donated has helped The Don War Memorial create a museum, celebrating the contribution of local veterans.
Matt Vickers said:
"Like a number of other MPs across the country, I continue to serve as a local Councillor. The pandemic meant that all elections were cancelled and the choice for me was whether to leave Hartburn without one of its councillors and increase Labour’s control of the council or carry on and hold the council to account.
"I continue to be an active councillor attending meetings and remaining available to help local people. I have never claimed a penny in expenses as a councillor and made the decision to discretely give the allowance I receive to a number of very important local organisations. Whilst I had chose not to publicise the donations, some people contacted me following misleading and inaccurate coverage asking me to do so.
"The thanks should go to these amazing charities who have helped get people through the pandemic and who help the most vulnerable in Stockton day in, day out.”
Gail Walker from Teesside Dementia Link Services, Julie Cooper from the Don War Memorial Bar and Brian Jones from the Moses Project have written a letter supporting Mr Vickers. The letter said:
"We write as representatives of charities and community organisations in Stockton to express our disappointment at the coverage of a recent council meeting where negative comments were reported about local MP, Matt Vickers.
"We’re not necessarily supporters of a particular party but since being elected, Matt Vickers has proved to be an immensely active and supportive MP.
"Matt is incredibly dedicated to supporting organisations like ours, standing up for our area and doing his bit for the most vulnerable. Our organisations support various members of society, from those suffering with dementia, those in poverty who need help accessing food, those who suffer from addiction or are homeless as well as our veterans.
"As well as supporting our causes and rolling his sleeves up where required, Matt approached us and offered a donation. He explained that for as long as he remains a councillor, he would split the allowance he receives between local community groups."
