Members of the new Westmorland and Furness Council are set to approve a pay rise for themselves just twenty days after taking office.
Despite only officially starting their roles as councillors on Vesting Day, April 1st, having served as shadow councillors since May 2022, the council members are set to meet on April 20th at the first AGM of the new council and are set to approve the members allowance increase.
The increase will see all 65 councillors on Westmorland and Furness council receive a basic annual allowance of £13,000.
Councillors will also be able to claim expenses for travel and other items.
A number of councillors will also receive additional special allowances including the council leader who will receive an additional £23,400 per year and the councils deputy leader will receive an additional £13,000 per year.
The councils additional six cabinet members will also receive an additional £7,800 per year.
With the chair of the council and chairs of 12 committees each receiving an additional £6,500 per year.
With political group leaders and chais of some additional committees receiving an additional £5,200 per year.
Penrith has four councillors representing the town across the two wards of Penrith North and Penrith South.
Those four members will each receive:
Cllr Bell Penrith North - Deputy Leader - £26,000
Cllr Rudhall Penrith North - £13,000
Cllr Taylor Penrith South - Cabinet Member- £20,800
Cllr Eyles Penrith South - £13,000
The above is also subject to any of the councillors taking up chair roles on any of the new council’s various committees with the additional allowances for those roles.
The appointment to committees is also expected to be decided at the Westmorland and Furness council AGM taking place on the 20th of April 2023 at 1:30pm at County Hall in Kendal.
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