Councillors' allowances

Allowances and expenses paid to councillors

UK law provides for certain allowances and expenses to be paid to councillors. What is paid and the amount payable is decided by each council.

In Cheshire West and Chester each councillor is paid a basic allowance.

This allowance recognises the time commitment of all councillors, including attending meetings, attending member learning and development events, dealing with constituency matters, representing the Council on external bodies, and the use of their homes.

The rate of basic allowance for 2023-24 is £14,453 for each member.

In addition to this, some members are paid a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA).

This is payable to those councillors who have significant responsibilities and can cover for example:

• Leader/Deputy Leader of the Council or a political group
• Executive membership
• Chairman of Council
• Chairman of Committees/Sub-Committees
• Member Champion
• Political Group Whips

In addition to this, Councillors are paid travelling and subsistence allowances.