Enfield Council has approved a change to its Members' Allowances Scheme, introducing a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for the Leader of the second largest Opposition Group. The decision was made during the Council's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The new allowance, set at £8,235 per annum, aims to acknowledge the responsibilities of the role and aligns with recommendations from the London Councils Independent Remuneration Panel. The panel's report from January 2023 suggested that smaller Opposition Group Leaders are provided with an SRA and provide a steer on the level of remuneration,
recommending a package for the second largest opposition group between £3,105 and £9,314. The proposed allowance falls within this range.
The Council comprises 63 elected members, with three political groups currently represented: the Conservative Party (31 councillors), the Labour Party (27 councillors), and the Green Party (5 councillors). This makes the Labour Party the second largest opposition group, with the Conservative Party being the largest.
According to the meeting's summary, this adjustment is intended to ensure that serving as a councillor is not financially prohibitive and will be funded from existing budgets. No other proposed changes to the Members' Allowances Scheme were discussed or considered during the Annual General Meeting. The full details of the approved amendment can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting.