North Yorkshire county councillors set for 1.75% rise in allowances

An independent panel has recommended a 1.75% increase in allowances for North Yorkshire county councillors.

The proposed increase would include the basic allowance for councillors and special responsibility allowances, such as the leader of the council.

If approved, it would see the basic allowance increase from £10,142 to £10,316.

John Thompson, chairman of the independent remuneration panel, said: 

“The increase takes into account the more demanding nature of the work done by councillors during the pandemic, the proposed local government pay offer and also the need to ensure that they are adequately and appropriately compensated for their vital contribution to local government.

“It is also important to consider the need to continue to attract the required calibre of candidate from a more diverse range of backgrounds, to stand and serve as a councillor. This is particularly relevant today as there will be county council elections in May 2022.”

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The renumeration panel reviews allowances annually.

County councillors will vote on the increase at a full council meeting on November 17.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said: 

“It is important that the level at which allowances are set is not a barrier that would prevent anyone from standing for a council position, regardless of such things as age, personal circumstances and whether they are in work.

“It will be a matter for each councillor to decide, at the full council meeting on November 17, 2021, whether to take all, some or none of the proposed increase in the allowances.”