Greenwich councillors vote on 42% basic allowance rise, costing taxpayers up to £800,000
The proposal would lift the basic pay from £11,906 to £16,882 and is backed by a London Councils panel but opposed by the Conservative group.
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Greenwich Council will hold a full‑council meeting next week to decide whether to adopt a new basic allowance of £16,882 for its 55 elected members, up from the current £11,906, as reported by the Greenwich Wire. The change amounts to an increase of almost 42 per cent.
Why the increase is being proposed
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An independent panel convened by London Councils recommended the higher figure after finding that many councillors struggle to combine the role with full‑time employment. Council leader Anthony Okereke said some members are falling into debt because the existing allowance is too low, also reported by the Greenwich Wire. He added that the current rates deter potential candidates, especially younger people and those with families.
There are councillors falling into debt trying to stand up for their communities.
Anthony Okereke, council leader
Political reaction
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The Conservative group on the council has branded the proposed rise as reckless, arguing that the extra spending is unaffordable amid a £30 million budget gap, as noted by the Greenwich Wire. The Green Party, by contrast, has pledged support, saying a fairer allowance could broaden the pool of candidates and reduce barriers for opposition members.
What happens after the vote
If the council approves the increase, the new rates will apply from the start of the next financial year and will be reviewed annually in line with broader local‑government pay awards, according to the Greenwich Wire. Senior roles such as deputy leader Jackie Smith and other cabinet members will also see larger jumps, with their overall allowances rising between 37.6% and 66.5%.
Should the motion be rejected, councillors will retain the existing allowance, and the council will need to revisit the independent panel’s recommendations before the next election cycle. The decision will be recorded in the council minutes and made publicly available on the borough’s website.
Questions this report answers
+What is the proposed increase to councillors’ basic allowance?
The basic allowance would rise from £11,906 to £16,882, representing a 41.8% increase. The change is intended to bring Greenwich’s rates closer to the top of the capital’s pay league and to address concerns that low pay is deterring candidates.
+How much will the new allowance cost taxpayers?
The council estimates that the higher basic allowance could add up to £800,000 to the annual budget. This figure reflects the cost of paying the new rate to all 55 councillors and is based on the calculations provided by the Greenwich Wire.
+Which political groups support or oppose the rise?
The Labour leader Anthony Okereke backs the increase, citing financial pressure on councillors. The Green Party also supports it, arguing it will improve diversity. The Conservative group opposes the proposal, calling it reckless and unaffordable given the borough’s budget gap.
+When will the council decide on the pay rise?
A full‑council meeting is scheduled for next week, during which councillors will vote on the recommendation. The outcome will be recorded in the council minutes and published on the Greenwich Council website shortly after the meeting.
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