By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
The leader of Nottingham City Council has defended a proposed increase to all councillors’ allowances following criticism.
A report shows all councillors are being recommended for an increase of seven per cent in their basic allowance.
Some of the more senior members, including leader Cllr David Mellen (Lab), are in also in line for smaller increases in their ‘special responsibility’ allowances on top of the basic rate.
The increases have been recommended by an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), which is made up of four members who are independent of the Labour-run authority.
Elected councillors are provided with allowances to reimburse them for their time, rather than salaries.
A report from the panel, which will be brought to Full Council on Monday, January 9 for a decision, states the recommended increase comes after council staff, including officers, were granted a pay rise of up to 10.5 per cent, in line with inflation.
It has been recommended the basic allowance in the Labour-led city council’s ‘Members’ Allowances Scheme’ – given to all councillors – be increased by seven per cent, backdated to April 1, 2022.
This means basic allowance would increase from by £913.68, from £13,052.62 to £13,966.30.
The Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) in the scheme would also be increased by two per cent, again backdated.
Those with special responsibilities include Cllr David Mellen (Lab), the leader, as well as portfolio holders, committee chairs, the Lord Mayor and executive assistants.
Cllr Mellen’s SRA would increase from £38,885.94 to £39,663.66, meaning his total allowance with basic would become £53,629.96.
But Cllr Kevin Clarke (Nottm Ind), the leader of the opposition independent group, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I do not think the timing is right.
“If you commit yourself to be a councillor you should not be relying on that.
“David Mellen has great responsibility. There is the argument councillors might not get paid enough for the work they do.
“[But] It’s not the right time given the present situation and likely another 100 job losses.
“We have not taken an increase for four years. We [Independent councillors] certainly won’t be taking this one.”
The IRP has also recommended that, where percentage increases are implemented in the future, allowances continue to be indexed by reference to increases in council staff pay, for a four-year period from January 9, 2023, and any changes to councillors’ allowances should be backdated in the same way as employee pay.
If a flat cash sum is offered to council officers in subsequent years the Independent Remuneration Panel will again meet to consider how this should be applied to councillor allowances.
Cllr Mellen said: “The Independent Remuneration Panel has recommended that councillors receive an increase in their allowance in line with the pay rise awarded to council officers in Nottingham.
“This varies from around a 3 per cent increase for senior roles, up to a 7 per cent increase for the basic allowance for city councillors which is below the rate of inflation and comes during a cost-of-living crisis.
“An allowance not only recognises the time councillors devote to work on behalf of the authority, but it also allows people from all backgrounds to become councillors, not just those with a second income or those who can afford not to work.
“A decision will be made at Full Council next week.”
Breakdown: (Role / current / proposed / total with basic and SRA / per cent)
Leader: £38,885.94 / £39,663.66 / £53,629.96 / 3.26
Deputy Leader: £28,280.69 / £28,846.30 / £42,812.61 / 3.58
Portfolio Holders: £21,210.51 / £21,634.72 / £35,601.02 / 3.90
Chair Scrutiny Committee £14,140.34 / £14,423.15 / £28,389.45 / 4.40
Chief Whip: £10,606.26 / £10,818.39 / £24,784.69 / 4.76
Executive Assistants: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Lord Mayor: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Sheriff: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Vice-Chairs Scrutiny Committees: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Chair of Planning Committee: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Chair of Licensing: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Chair of Audit Committee: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Leader of Minority Group: £7,070.17 / £7,211.57 / £21,177.88 / 5.24
Chair of Appointments Committee: £3,535.09 / £3,605.79 / £17,572.10 / 5.93
Vice-Chair of Licensing: £3,535.09 / £3,605.79 / £17,572.10 / 5.93
Adoption Panel Members: £3,535.09 / £3,605.79 / £17,572.10 / 5.93
Leader of smaller minority groups: N/A
Deputy Leader of each minority group (6-plus members): N/A