Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason will see his special responsibility allowance rise from £32,100 to £54,860 under new proposals that the ruling Ealing Labour council has put forward.
The new allowances for councillors will see all councillors of all parties getting an standard allowance £12,104 up from £9,708. Councillors who have special duties suh as those in Cllr Mason’s cabinet as well as leading opposition parties will also see their allowances increased.
Despite the increase, Councillors are not obliged to accept their increased allowance if they don’t want to get the additional money.
With his basic allowance, Councillor Mason, who represents Southall Green ward will now get a total allowance of £66,874.
Councillor Mason also sits on the ODPC board in Park Royal for which he currently gets £2,000 a year.
“Liberal Democrats say that it is wrong for Labour to massively increase the allowances for the Leader and other senior roles without any discussion with the communities of Ealing,” said Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition. “Councillors should be paid a fair allowance for the work they do but Labour’s proposals seem very wrong given the current cost of living crisis. It appears they are sticking their noses into the gravy boat.”
A council spokesperson said: “These changes reflect the increased expectations and demands placed on the leadership, governance and quasi-judicial functions modern local government expects of its elected officials. Historically Ealing’s member allowances have not risen in line with the recommendations made by the London Independent Remuneration Panel.”
