Following the increase in the basic allowance for Trafford Councillors from £7,061 to £10,076 per year, local residents have been contacting Trafford Green Party councillors wanting to know details about this increase.
To dispel some of the misinformation that is being put out in the media, we wanted to answer these questions about the increase.
You asked us…
How much do Trafford councillors get paid?
Trafford pays local councillors an allowance of £10,076 a year.
What are they paid for?
Councillors are expected to work around 20 hours a week. The allowance covers their time and expenses. Some councillors with special responsibilities get an extra allowance.
How does Trafford compare to other councils?
Trafford has the lowest allowance in Greater Manchester. The allowance in Salford is £12,011 and in Manchester it is £18,841. (see graph below)
Who set the amount?
An Independent Remuneration Panel recommended the level of the allowance, with the panel noting that allowances in Trafford were low comparatively and in real terms, and that the low level of the allowance risked putting people off becoming councillors.
Who sat on the panel?
The panel was composed of academic Declan Hall, chief financial officer of Trafford College Kal Kay and ex-Royal Marine Ralph Rudden, who recommended the 43% increase in the basic allowance.
How was this recommendation arrived at?
To form this recommendation, the panel analysed evidence and met with a representative range of councillors. All councillors were also invited to participate in a short questionnaire to express their views.
The panel reported that there was “a near unanimous view that the Basic Allowance was in need of revision, particularly to place it on a par with peers across Greater Manchester.”.
How was the new allowance worked out?
The basic allowance for councillors reflects the expectation that they work around 20 hours a week on council business, as well as covering any expenses incurred in this process. The new rate of basic allowance was calculated by the panel based on the average wage for Trafford, discounted to reflect the
public service nature of the role.
How did Trafford Green Party councillors vote on this?
The motion to increase councillor allowances, along with changes to other council allowances, was put to the council in May and the Green councillors voted for the motion. Despite the uplift, the rate is still the lowest in Greater Manchester.
How often do allowances increase?
The change follows the first review of Trafford allowances in over 20 years, with the panel recommending an increase from £7,061 to £10,076.
Dan Jerrome, Trafford Green Party councillor said:
“It is important that allowances help people from a wide range of backgrounds to put themselves forward to become councillors. This needs to include people from all under-represented groups to ensure that they have a voice.
We all stand to benefit if we can better attract a properly diverse set of hard working people to represent Trafford residents.
For many years Trafford has had councillor allowances which are significantly lower than any others in Greater Manchester and similar sized councils around the country. This has meant that many people simply can’t afford to be a councillor.
Under these proposals Trafford councillors would still receive the lowest basic allowance in GM but it would help a wider participation.”
