Councillors to freeze allowances in 2021/22

PR2319/TC/MF - 10/12/2020

Mid Sussex District Councillors have unanimously agreed to freeze their allowances for 2021/22.

The Local Government Act requires local authorities to set a scheme of Member allowances every year, after considering the recommendations of an independent advisory panel.

The Council met on Wednesday 9 December to discuss a report by the Independent Members’ Allowances panel. The panel recommended that the Basic, Special Responsibility, Cabinet Member and Leader Allowances should all remain the same next year, and Councillors voted in favour of the recommendation.

Councillor Allowances ensure that everyone can serve as an elected member. Without payment, the only people who could seek public office as a councillor would be those who do not work or who have a lot of free time. There is no obligation for Members to take the allowance.  

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“The coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on Council budgets across the country and Mid Sussex is no different. Financial forecasts suggest that the virus will cost the Council £8.3 million over the next four years and we must do everything we can to generate savings and protect our services for the future.

“Councillors allowances may only represent a small fraction of the annual Council budget but it’s vital that we all lead by example and play our part in minimising the Council’s costs. It’s only right that we freeze Councillor allowances during this extremely difficult time and I’m delighted that all our Members, from across the political spectrum, voted unanimously in favour of this recommendation.”

ENDS