Barnsley councillors vote to increase pay by £500 a year
Councillors will receive a basic allowance of £12,237 per year, an increase from £11,823
Councillors in Barnsley have voted to increase their basic allowance by more than £500 for the upcoming financial year.
The decision comes after concerns were raised that the allowances had effectively been cut as they have remained static since 2021, at a time of high inflation.
Councillors will receive a basic allowance of £12,237 per year, an increase from £11,823, to cover costs associated with their role.
An Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) had suggested a freeze to the basic allowance for the upcoming year, citing concerns over public perception of a significant pay increase.
However, after considering feedback from members, the panel acknowledged the need for an increase, recommending a rise in allowances across several areas, including in the basic allowance and special responsibility allowances (SRA). This rise is 2.5 per cent, in line with the rise for staff as agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services, plus 1 per cent.
The panel did recommend that the allowance be increased, which will be backdated to April 1.
This will result in a total cost of approximately £770,931 for basic allowances in 2024/25 – an extra £52,006.
Travel allowances will rise by 25 per cent, reflecting cost increases due to inflation.
While the IRP had initially recommended holding the line on pay, it took into account that allowances have remained static for several years and could act as a barrier to attracting a broader range of people to serve on the council.
A report by the panel states that feedback from councillors found that they felt that allowances had effectively been cut due to remaining unchanged since 2021/22.
Some expressed concerns that the current allowance may be a barrier to potential candidates, especially younger or working individuals who may find it insufficient.
Councillors voted on the decision during a full council meeting on November 28.
Councillor Robert Frost said the panel’s report was ‘necessary’, as the last one had been undertaken in 2019, and member’s allowances had begun to ‘lag behind’ its peers.