Town councillor expenses increase by 28%

Town councillor allowances and expenses have jumped by at least 28% for the financial year 2023-24, compared to the previous year.

New data from Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council reveals that a total of £19,210.75 was spent on town councillor allowances and expenses during the 2023-24 period.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, £14,690.73 was paid to councillors and Community Youth Reps for their service which included the £150 basic payment and any senior responsibility payment for Committee Chairs along with £9,450 for attendance at meetings through the attendance allowance.

However, the latest figures from April 2023 to March 2024 reveal a notable increase in payments, now totaling £19,210.75. This amount encompasses the new £208 basic payment, broken down into a mandatory £156 for service and home-working and £52 for telephone and broadband costs. Senior responsibility payments and £12,810 for meeting attendance form part of this overall expenditure.

Individual current breakdowns

Due to reporting changes, which we explain below, it is no longer possible to directly compare each councillor from year to year.

Below is a grid of all current town councillors and what they recieved during 2023/24 for attendance allowances & senior payments only. This excludes any basic payments made, so the percentages are much lower than expected. You can click on the member to find out more information.

Cllr Chris Jones

Newtown East / Independent

At least £810

Cllr Darryl Gwilt

Newtown South / Conservative

At least £960

Cllr David Selby

Newtown Central / Liberal Democrat

At least £0

Cllr Jack Griffin Lewis

Newtown Central / Plaid Cymru

At least £1,020

Cllr Lee Menzel

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North / Independent

At least £810

Cllr Margaret Lewington

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West / Conservative

At least £1,020

Cllr Nicky Tanner

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North / Independent

At least £0

Cllr Paul Harris

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North / Conservative

At least £0

Cllr Peter Lewington

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West / Conservative

At least £1,797

Cllr Richard Edwards

Newtown South / Plaid Cymru

At least £1,790

Cllr Richard White

Newtown Central / Independent

At least £570

Cllr Rupert Taylor

Newtown Central / Conservative

At least £1,448

Cllr Tracy Owen

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North / Independent

At least £960

Cllr Val Howard

Newtown East / Independent

At least £1,058

35% increase

One of the most significant increases was observed in attendance payments for meetings, which surged by 35% to £12,810 from the 2022-23 period to the 2023-24 period (22/23: £9,450)

The attendance allowance was introduced in June 2021 to facilitate greater participation in the local democratic process. Members get £30 for each council meeeting they attend. The rationale for this initiative was explained as "to ensure that financial circumstances should not prevent participation or be a disincentive to being able to participate in the local democratic process."

Reporting changes

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, responsible for setting councillor allowances in Wales, initiated alterations to the reporting requirements for the current year.

According to the Panel, the new reporting guidelines aim to simplify processes while upholding public accountability and individual privacy. Details regarding costs of care and personal assistance allowances will no longer be attributed to specific councillors, aligning with the goal of ensuring transparency while respecting privacy.

Starting from September 2024, the returns will only feature the total amounts disbursed for the mandatory payments, including the £156 contribution for home-working, the £52 consumables allowance, and travel and subsistence claims.