Cherwell Councillor Allowances Could Jump By £180 Annually

Next week, Cherwell Council will discuss their budget. One item involves raising councillor pay yearly. The plan is to increase it from £5,040 to £5,220. South Oxfordshire councillors got a raise recently too. Their basic allowance went from £6,275 to £8,391. That’s an increase of 34 percent total.

Vale of White Horse also approved a pay bump. They raised it from £6,275 to £7,514. Oxford City Council will vote in March about this topic. Their councillors currently get £5,471 as a basic allowance.

West Oxfordshire set councillor pay two years ago. Their allowance is £5,221. They will look at it again in 2027. Cherwell Council will vote about their proposal soon. The Independent Remuneration Panel suggested this plan. The meeting is on Monday, February 24.

Additional roles might see a 3.5 percent pay raise, too. The council leader’s pay could rise to £16,596. It is currently £16,032. The deputy leader’s allowance may increase to £10,716. Right now it is £10,344.
Executive members with portfolios might get £7,740. They currently make £7,476. The opposition leader might earn £3,600. Currently, they get £3,468.

The panel said local government is complex. Councillors now have increased responsibilities. The panel wants people from all backgrounds to serve. Fairer pay helps anyone run for council.