Isle of Wight Councillors will take home more than £9,500 this year for the time they dedicate to the role.
Members have agreed their allowance scheme for the financial year ahead, setting the basic amount they will receive as at least £9,605.
Annual uplift yet to be determined
An annual uplift, which is yet to be determined but is in line with the nationally agreed increase for council employees, could also be added.
Last year, there was an 8.76 per cent uplift for members which increased their allowance from £8,832 to £9,605 — an extra £773.
An allowance, not a salary
The council has said an allowance is not a salary, but a partial reimbursement of losses incurred for councillors as they are not at work during that time.
Each of the 39 councillors is entitled to the basic allowance but they do not have to accept it or can take only part of it.
‘Special responsibility’ allowances
Members with more duties — like cabinet members, leaders and chairs of committees — are entitled to additional money, in a ‘special responsibility allowance’.
The council leader, Councillor Phil Jordan could get three times the basic allowance — £28,815 — and Councillor Ian Stephens, the deputy leader more than double — £21,611 — in 2024/25.
Cabinet members get twice the allowance — £19,210.
Only one special responsibility allowance is allowed per councillor.
One against and two abstained
The scheme passed through a vote, with the majority of members in favour however, Councillor Paul Fuller was against it and Councillors Joe Lever and Peter Spink abstained.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
