North Yorkshire councillors have been recommended an inflation-linked increase in their annual allowances, which would add more than £36,000 to the yearly cost of the scheme.
An independent panel has proposed increasing the basic annual allowance from £17,964 to £18,431 for 2027/28, a rise of 2.6 per cent in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of inflation to June 2026.
If approved, the increase in basic allowances would add £23,604 a year to the council’s costs, taking the total to £1.64 million.
The panel has also recommended a 2.6 per cent increase in special responsibility allowances paid to councillors with additional duties. These increases would add £12,455 to the annual total, taking it to £491,501.
The recommendations will be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s executive on Tuesday, October 27, before being put to the full council for a decision on Wednesday, November 18.
Philip Battle, chair of the council’s Independent Remuneration Panel, said the review considered allowances at comparable local authorities, inflation, wider economic pressures and the demands placed on councillors.
Philip Battle, chair of North Yorkshire Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel, said: The panel has again undertaken a thorough review of councillors’ allowances to ensure they remain fair, proportionate and reflective of the responsibilities and time commitment associated with the role of an elected member.
He said the recommendations sought to balance recognition of councillors’ responsibilities with value for money for residents.
Council leader Cllr Carl Les said being a councillor required a significant commitment alongside work, family life and other responsibilities.
Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: It is important that the allowances scheme remains fair, proportionate and supports people from a wide range of backgrounds to serve their communities.
He added that any agreed allowances remained a matter for individual councillors to decide whether they wished to claim.
The panel’s report is available in the report to North Yorkshire Council’s executive.