Councillors in Barnsley have approved plans to raise their basic allowance by approximately £400 for the next financial year. The decision, made at a council meeting last month, comes amid
concerns that councillors’ pay has remained unchanged since 2021, effectively amounting to a pay cut due to high inflation.
Following the vote, councillors will now receive a basic annual allowance of £12,237, up by £414 from the previous £11,823. The allowance is intended to cover expenses related to their roles.
An Independent Remuneration Panel had initially proposed freezing the allowance for the coming year, citing concerns over how a significant pay increase might be perceived by the public. However, the panel reconsidered after receiving feedback from councillors, acknowledging the necessity for a raise.
Recommended Allowance Increases
The panel ultimately recommended increases in several areas, including the basic allowance and special responsibility allowances. The approved rise, backdated to April 1, reflects a 2.5% increase in line with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services agreement for staff, plus an additional 1%.
This adjustment will bring the total cost of councillors’ basic allowances to approximately £770,931 for the 2024-25 financial year, representing an additional £52,006. Additionally, travel allowances will rise by 25%, reflecting inflation-related cost increases.
Regional Comparisons
In North Yorkshire, councillors received £15,550 in basic allowances for the 2023-24 year, with an independent panel recommending an increase to £17,000 for 2024-25. By contrast, in Wakefield, councillors voted last month to freeze their allowances. Council leader Denise Jeffery explained that taking a pay rise while residents are struggling with the cost of living would be inappropriate.
The decision in Barnsley reflects a balance between maintaining fair compensation for councillors and addressing public concerns about financial priorities during challenging economic times. Photo by Badics, Wikimedia commons.