Havering Council to vote on rise to councillors’ allowances

Plans will be voted on next week (credit: Havering Council) 

Havering’s councillors could see their allowances rise by two per cent under a new proposal which will be voted on next week. 

It would see an extra £19,094 of taxpayers’ money being spent on remunerating the 54 elected members, taking the total up to £973,760.

The rise would be the first increase to their allowances since 2008. 

But further proposals by the Conservative administration could push the total amount above £1million.

The ruling party wants to more than double the deputy mayor’s allowance from £4,000 to £8,160.

And there are plans to introduce up to six new deputy cabinet positions which would cost a further £88,062, although the proposal does say there is “no indication that any Members will be appointed to this role in the immediate future.”

A spokesperson for Havering Council told Time 107.5: “Every year the Council reviews allowances paid to councillors. It’s important to emphasise that an allowance is not a salary but monies paid to councillors to support them in carrying out their work they do as local councillors.

“This year it is proposed to increase allowances by 2%, which is in keeping with the London Council’s Independent Remuneration Review Panel report, and reflects the local government staff pay settlement.

“The additional proposals put forward include setting an allowance for Deputy Cabinet Members, and at present there is no intention to fill these posts, but gives flexibility for the future.

“It is worth noting that the Cabinet, at six members is smaller than many other local authorities, who include Deputy Cabinet Members as well.”

Havering’s councillors will vote on the plans at a full council meeting on Wednesday, 26 February. 

If passed, they would take effect on Wednesday, 1 April and last until March 31 2021.