Pay rise for Charnwood councillors

MEMBERS of Charnwood Borough Council will receive a one per cent pay rise after new allowances were approved at the latest full council meeting.

Councillors receive a basic allowance, and then any further ‘special responsibilities’ such as being leader of the council, leader of the opposition, or chair of a committee, will receive an extra allowance added to the basic allowance.

The basic allowance for a councillor from May 2017 to May 2018 is £4,975 and the basic allowance for a parish member of the member conduct committee is £248.

Allowances for special responsibility positions taken up by councillors include: • Leader of the council - £12,292 • Deputy leader of the council - £8,604 • Cabinet lead members - £4,917 • Leader of the opposition - £4,121 • Chair of plans committee - £3,687 • Scrutiny commissioner (five mem- bers hold this position) - £3,442

• Independent chair of audit committee £3,442 • Chair of licensing committee - £2,458 • Cabinet deputy lead members - £2,108

• Chair of the member conduct committee - £1,476

• Assistant scrutiny commissioner (three members hold this position) - £1,476 • Vice chair of plans committee - £1,476 • Vice chair of licensing committee - (two members hold this position) - £737

The one per cent pay rise from last year is the same that has been agreed nationally for local authority employees.

Councillors also receive a travel allowance and a carers’ allowance.

Travel allowance can be claimed for travel to and from council meetings and for official council matters.

The carers’ allowance is to cover the cost of childcare or care for a sick, elderly or disabled relative to allow a councillor to be able to attend meetings or to carry out their duties.