Allowances for councillors at Preston City Council to see £28k rise

Members carried recommendations from an independent body to see their individual allowances rise by just over £300 a year.

It means a commitment to a budget hike of £28k from 2020/21 onwards.

Presenting a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel at a council meeting on Thursday, cabinet member for Resources and Performance coun Martyn Rawlinson said: “It’s always been a feeling that councils are uncomfortable voting for their own pay rises.

"The panel has recognised a few times in the past that Preston’s expenses are lower than others.

“Allowances are needed to help people be councillors without making it look attractive for people looking for an easy ride.”

Backing the proposals, coun Sue Whittam, leader of the Conservative group, said: “We have to have an independent panel to look at our pay.”

And welcoming the unanimous support to the increase leader of Preston City Council (PCC) coun Matthew Brown said: “I’m glad we have consensus. We’ve got to take the politics out of this.

“We have got to be adult about this and take what they say and go with it every year.”

The rise will see councillors basic allowance of £3,908 increase to £4,240.

Thursday’s meeting also saw a hike to the Mayor’s allowance by £2,000 - from £6,015 to £8,015 per annum.

Councillors unanimously agreed to the new allowance for Preston’s mayor, currently coun David Borrow, saying it was “much needed“.