Members’ Allowances

This page provides details of the Members Allowances Scheme, which came into effect from 1 April 2026.

The amount councillors can claim is reviewed every year by the Independent Remuneration Panel and agreed by Full Council. Copies of the Panel’s report and full scheme are available for inspection by the public on the Council’s website.

Basic Allowance

A basic allowance be paid to each of the 45 councillors at £5,496 per year.

Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA)

Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) of the amounts indicated be paid per year to the holders of the following offices:

• Leader of the Council – £16,068
• Deputy Leader of the Council – £8,316
• Cabinet Member – £6,648
• Chair of the Council – £5,700
• Vice-Chair of the Council – £1,416
• Planning Committee Chair – £5,064
• Deputy Planning Committee Chair – £1,680
• Scrutiny and Performance Committee Chair – £4,500
• Audit and Governance Committee Chair – £4,500
• Licensing Committee Chair – £1,632
• Standards Committee Chair – £1,632
• Largest Minority Group Leader – £1,284 plus £216 per group member
• Minority Group Leader(s) (5 or more members) – £216 per group member
• Minority Group Leader(s) (less than 5 members) – £456
• Independent Members – £996

No councillor shall be entitled to more than one SRA payment. Where a councillor holds more than one office, then the higher of the SRA shall apply.

A further £1,030 is paid to the Chair of the Council and £315 to the Vice-Chair of the Council to cover the cost of clothing, donations, tipping, etc. These amounts are provided separately under Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Carer’s Allowances

Childcare and Adult Carers Allowances to be paid in line with, but not less than, the national minimum wage. Reimbursement of reasonable actual costs of care above the level of the allowance may be endorsed at the Portfolio Holder’s discretion.

All claims must be accompanied by a valid receipt and payment is subject to councillors signing to say they have actually and necessarily incured the amount being claimed.

Travelling Allowance

The prevailing HM Revenue & Customs Approved Mileage Allowance Payments to apply. As from 6th April 2011, the following amounts have applied:

• Car or Van – 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter
• Motorcycle – 24p per mile (all miles)
• Cycle (and other non-motorised forms of transport) – 20p per mile (all miles)
• Passenger supplement – 5p per mile

All claims must be accompanied by a valid receipt and payment is subject to councillors signing to say they have actually and necessarily incurred the amount being claimed.