Greenwich Council has approved the principle of appointing political assistants to support its political groups, a decision made during the Council's Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The move, which allows for up to three such posts to be allocated to qualifying groups, was met with some opposition.
Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of the Opposition, expressed concerns about an increase in the cost of politics in the borough. The estimated annual cost for these roles is significant, with the overall cost of each full-time political assistant potentially reaching up to £69,189, including salaries, benefits, and overheads. The Labour Group is set to receive one full-time post (£69,189), while the Conservative and Green Groups will each have part-time roles (17.5 hours per week). The maximum remuneration for a Political Assistant is equivalent to Spinal Point 38 of the NJC Scheme, currently £51,194. The report accompanying the decision noted that the 2026/27 budget was set without accounting for this proposal, creating a pressure of £33,095 on the council, necessitating compensatory savings.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, responded that the appointment was not mandatory and would provide valuable support to political groups. The criteria for qualification are based on the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, requiring a group's membership to constitute at least 10% of the authority's membership. In Greenwich, the three largest groups meet this threshold: Labour (35 councillors, 63.64%), Green (13 councillors, 23.64%), and Conservative (6 councillors, 10.91%).
If the council approves the principle, the process for appointing these assistants involves the relevant Political Group Leader formally notifying the Monitoring Officer. The appointments will follow established council recruitment procedures and are fixed-term, ending at or before the annual meeting of the council after each election year, provided the group still qualifies. Day-to-day, the Political Assistants will report to their respective Group Leaders and to a more senior council officer.
Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, all three main political groups – Labour, Green, and Conservative – qualify for a political assistant due to their representation on the council. The Labour Group will be allocated 35 hours per week, while the Conservative and Green Groups will each receive 17.5 hours per week.
The decision to approve the principle of appointing political assistants was voted on by the council, with the proposals being agreed. This marks a significant step in providing enhanced support to the borough's political representation. Further details on the council's proceedings can be found in the Supplementary Agenda and the Public reports pack for the meeting.
