Croydon councillors could see a 3.2% increase in their allowances following a recommendation from the General Purposes Committee. The proposed uplift, which would be backdated to April 2025, aligns with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services Staff pay award. The increase aims to keep councillor compensation in line with broader public sector pay trends. According to Adrian May, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Croydon's basic councillor allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) are generally lower compared to other boroughs.
The General Purposes Committee met on 4 November 2025, to discuss the Members' Allowance Scheme for 2025/26. Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Chair of the Committee, led the discussion, with Adrian May, Senior Democratic Services Officer, introducing the report.
The committee considered the Report - Members Allowance LGSS 2025-26, which referenced the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, requiring councils to approve a Members' Allowances Scheme annually. The report highlighted a recommendation from the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London that allowances be updated in line with the percentage pay award agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services Staff. The headline rate for 2025/26 is 3.2%.
Adrian May clarified that the local government staff settlement was agreed earlier this year, allowing the committee to make a specific decision regarding the 3.2% increase. He also drew attention to the Independent Remuneration Panel Report on Councillor Allowances 2023 and the Track Change 3.2% Proposal 25-26, which details the proposed changes to councillors’ basic and special responsibility allowances. The Track Change 3.2% Proposal 25-26 document shows the current and proposed values for all basic and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs).
Councillor Fitzsimons proposed accepting the recommendations in the paper, which would apply the 3.2% increase to both the basic allowance and existing Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). The committee agreed to recommend to Full Council an uplift in Members Allowances of 3.2% for the financial year 2025/26, backdated to April 2025. The Full Council is expected to vote on this recommendation at its meeting on 10 December 2025, according to the council calendar.
The annual cost of the Members' Allowance Scheme for 2025/26, including national insurance contributions, is estimated to be approximately £1.6 million.
Councillor Karen Jewitt sought clarification on expenses, particularly regarding hotel remuneration for out-of-borough events. Councillor Fitzsimons confirmed that the expenses policy had not been reviewed for several years and was due for an update. A review of the wider member allowance scheme, including expenses, is scheduled for agreement on the 25th of February 2026 at Budget Council.
