Letter: Some Councillors Will Have a Bonanza Year

Published on: 16 May, 2026
Updated on: 15 May, 2026

From Dave Middleton

In response to: West Surrey Councillors To Get £19k Basic Allowance Once New Council Takes Over

Given that a number of existing Surrey County Councillors who have won positions on the new shadow West Surrey Council already receive almost £15,000 basic allowance for their SCC positions. Will they also be allowed to claim the WSC allowances shown above?

If so, by my reckoning that’s about £27,000 as a basic sum [for the county and shadow roles], plus any other special payments and allowances due from any town or borough council posts held.

We forwarded Mr Middleton’s letter to council officers for a response. This was the reply:

Councillors involved in preparing the new councils are committing significant time and effort to ensure they are ready to take on their full responsibilities from day one. An Independent Remuneration Panel has carried out a full and independent review of allowances, based on the expected workload and responsibilities during this period.

During the shadow year, some councillors will hold more than one role across county, district/borough and the shadow authority. In line with the existing national framework for councillor allowances, they may receive allowances for each role they are formally appointed to. This can include basic allowances and, where applicable, Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs).

If approved at the inaugural Shadow Council meetings (East Surrey Shadow Council 20 May and West Surrey Shadow Council 21 May), all costs will be set out transparently.

Responses to Letter: Some Councillors Will Have a Bonanza Year

Bernard Quoroll Reply

May 16, 2026 at 10:57 am

And the shadow interim officers doing all the work will get no extra remuneration?

Time to get elected!
Jeremy Holt Reply

May 16, 2026 at 11:46 am

It is amazing how “independent remuneration panels” always come up with increases in remuneration.

And let us be honest: these are not allowances, they are pay.

Much of it comes from the terms of reference such as “in the top quartile of a peer group” and from the selection of the “independent” panel.
Such terms guarantee an increase in remuneration.

One needs only look at the gravy train of FTSE 100 companies’ executive remuneration.

So some councillors will be receiving three allowances (borough or district, SCC and shadow councils). Are the residents receiving value for money?
Sara Tokunaga Reply

May 17, 2026 at 10:29 am

It warms my heart to hear that this most important decision has been made so promptly. Does this mean all future decisions will be made with the same alacrity? Somehow I doubt it.

With some councillors now picking up three sets of “allowances” this has turned into a very nice little earner with us, the Council Tax payers, picking up the bill as usual. At the very least, these “allowances” should be linked to attendance on all three levels – no show, no pay.