North Tyneside councillors have unanimously voted to reject a recommended increase in their allowances this year. At last night's full council meeting, proposals to uplift allowances were turned down in favour of keeping them at their current levels.
The decision follows a controversial vote last year that saw substantial increases, particularly for special responsibility allowances. Current allowances include a basic allowance of £11,176, an elected mayor's allowance of £70,691, and a deputy mayor's allowance of £13,907. Cabinet members receive £11,176, while chairs of licensing, scrutiny, planning, regulation, and standards committees get £5,558, with their deputy chairs receiving £2,794. Other committee chairs receive £2,235, and their deputies £559. The opposition group leader with at least 10% of seats gets £11,176, with the deputy opposition group leader receiving £1,117. The chair of council receives £12,604, and the deputy chair £4,576.
Conservative motion defeated
However, a motion from the Conservative group requested that allowances be returned to 2025/26 levels. For 2025/26, cabinet members' special responsibility rates rose by more than £8,000, and the deputy mayor's by £6,000, representing increases of 235% and 85%, respectively. The Mayor's allowance also rose from £68,499 to £70,691.
Tory councillor Liam Bones said: "The allowances that came into force this year for cabinet members and other members with special responsibility allowances were excessive. While ordinary people across North Tyneside struggle with the cost of living, Labour awarded themselves a 235% increase."
Mayor defends previous rise
Mayor Karen Clark stated that the previous decision to raise the allowances, especially for those with special responsibilities, was due to the council's scheme being out of sync with neighbouring and similar authorities, after several years of rejecting increases. Ms Clark went on to state that the rates were at a level that could put councillors off taking roles with special responsibilities.
After the Conservative motion to bring the levels back to prior levels was defeated, all councillors unanimously voted to freeze this year's allowances.
