Members' allowances

Remuneration allowances for Council Members of Kingston upon Hull City Council

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, Kingston upon Hull City Council hereby gives notice of the following allowances paid to members during 2006 - 2007.
Some members received Special Responsibility Allowances, which were included in their total allowances. All the allowances were subject to income tax deductions.

Travel and subsistence allowances for Council Members of Kingston upon Hull City Council

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, Kingston upon Hull City Council hereby gives notice of the following travel and subsistence allowances paid to members during 2006 – 2007.
Some of the allowances may be subject to income tax deductions.

Know the facts

Your guide to members' allowances

Basic allowance

All councillors can claim a basic allowance which is in recognition of the time they devote to serving the public in their wards; for example, in holding drop-in surgeries, campaigning on local issues and undertaking casework. The basic allowance for the financial year 2007-8 is £11,643 (frozen at the same level as the previous year). This also covers the cost of telephone calls, postage, office expenses and travel within the city.

Travel and subsistence claims

Councillors can also claim money for meals, including breakfast, dinner and evening meals, and expenses, for travelling outside the city on council business; for example, to conferences and training courses.

Why do some councillors claim more than others?

In addition to the basic allowance, some councillors receive a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for extra duties.
For example, the post of leader of the council carries with it an SRA of twice the basic allowance, and the deputy leader post carries with it an SRA of 75 per cent that of the Leader's SRA.
Cabinet members - that is councillors who hold responsibility or "portfolios" for specific issues across the city, such as regeneration, environment, or children's services - also receive SRA at 63 per cent of the leader's SRA.
The leader of the opposition can claim 50 per cent of the Leader's SRA.
The post of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee also carries an SRA of 50 per cent of the Leader's SRA.
Chairs of overview and scrutiny commissions (of which there are six, covering areas such as children's services, crime and environment) claim 25 per cent of the leader's SRA.
Chair of the Licensing and Planning Committee also claims 25 per cent, as do Chairs of the city's seven area committees.

What are co-opted members?

These are non-councillors who are members of council committees. Their appointment plays an important role, particularly in the operation of scrutiny panels and the investigations undertaken by scrutiny review groups set up to investigate areas of poor performance or public concern.
Co-opted members can often provide a new perspective to the issue being scrutinised, as well as add diversity of knowledge and experience. They also play an important role on the Standards Committee in promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct and training for councillors.

info

To find out more information about councillors, council committees, or about how you can become involved in local democracy, visit www.hullcc.gov.uk and click on the Council and Democracy section. Alternatively call 300300