COUNCILLORS’ allowances for the coming year have been revealed, with elected members receiving a two per cent pay rise.

By law, local authorities in England are required to publish the allowances councillors receive for that financial year.

Each councillor receives a basic allowance while cabinet members receive a second allowance.

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Allowances are also paid out for special responsibilities, such as chairmen of the various committees.

It is important to note that councillors differ from council officers, who are employed by the council.

Officers are responsible for the practical development of council policies and procedures while councillors are elected to run the services the authority is responsible for.

Currently there are 48 seats across 16 wards on St Helens Council.

Labour have the majority, holding 37 seats, giving them overall control of the council.

Following May’s local elections, the Liberal Democrats are the largest opposition party, with four seats.

The Conservatives have three councillors, while the Green Party have two.

There are also two independents now on the council.

All of allowances have received a two per cent rise, following a two per cent increase in 2018-19.

Each member of the council will receive a basic allowance of £8,094, while cabinet members will receive an additional £16,182.

This means in total, cabinet members will receive £24,276.

Cllr David Baines, leader of the council, will receive £35,064 on top of his basic allowance, meaning he will take home £43,158.

Deputy leader Sue Murphy will receive an additional allowance of £19,554, giving her a total of £27,648.

St Helens Star: St Helens Council leader David Baines

 

Here is the full list of allowances:

Basic allowance – £8,094

 

Special responsibilty allowances 

Leader of the council – £35,064

Deputy leader of the council – £19,554

Cabinet members – £16,182

Chair of overview and scrutiny commission – £8,094

Chairs of overview and scrutiny committees – £5,127

Chair of planning committee – £8,094

Chair of licensing and environmental protection committee – £8,094

Opposition leaders (provided a group has three or more members) – £1,617

Mayor – £8,094

Deputy mayor – £810

Member of recycling and waste authority – £5,127

Liverpool City Region transport committee – £5,675