South London Borough Plans Allowance Rise for Councillors Over £40k
Croydon councillors may see a 2.5% pay rise, boosting Cabinet Members’ earnings to over £40,000
Croydon, UK, Councillors, Allowances, Cabinet Members
Croydon: So, there’s some buzz in Croydon about a potential pay rise for councillors. They’re looking at a 2.5% increase in their yearly allowance, which hasn’t changed in years. This could be a big deal for them, especially with inflation and all that.
If the council gives the green light, both the basic and special responsibility allowances will go up. This means that some councillors, especially those in key roles, will see their paychecks get a nice boost for the first time.
You know, in the UK, the basic allowance is meant to cover the time and effort councillors put into their jobs. And those with extra responsibilities, like Cabinet Members, get a little more to reflect their added duties.
They initially hesitated about the pay rise during the last budget meeting, but the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors raised some valid points about the growing workload and responsibilities. It’s about time they recognized that, right?
They’re also looking to introduce new allowances for some committee chairs, which is a nice touch. If all goes well, this could mean a little extra for those who are really putting in the effort.
While the council says they can manage this increase within the current budget, it’s still going to cost them an extra £35,000 a year. They’ll be reviewing this next week before making a final call in the spring.
And just a heads up, councillors get their allowances on the 12th of each month, but they can choose to give them up if they want. It’s all about making sure they’re fairly compensated for their hard work.