Councillors to vote again on allowances

ANOTHER deferral is expected when it comes to deciding the amount of cash Middlesbrough councillors receive annually.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

The town's councillors are being recommended to increase their basic allowance for the current financial year, from £7,608, to the Teesside average of £8,999.

A crunch vote is coming at full council on Wednesday, where councillors will be given the same options as they were in September - see the basic allowance increase while all over allowances remain at 2024 levels (both recommended by an independent panel), or propose its own scheme of allowances.

The authority is required to publish a members' scheme of allowances on an annual basis, and allowances should reflect the level of work, time and commitment of the role of councillor.

In September, councillors deferred making a decision on the matter. Due to freeze after freeze, Middlesbrough councillors are some of the lowest paid in the country. The panel's 2024 recommendation was to increase the basic allowance to meet the Teesside average and not reflect staff inflationary pay awards.

However, this recommendation was rejected by councillors and the basic allowance has remained the same since 2022, according to council documents.

Councillors do not receive a salary; they are entitled to claim a basic allowance, with special responsibility allowances for certain positions, including executive members, the mayor and the chairs of most committees. The allowances for chairing some committees (such as licensing or planning) are higher than the basic allowance for councillors.

Opinions vary across the council chamber, and not so closely aligned along political party lines.