Hounslow Council has approved a new scheme for members' allowances, aiming to restructure payments based on time commitment and ensure public service remains accessible. The decision was made during a Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
The revised scheme, proposed by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, aims to provide a clear and transparent rationale for how councillors are remunerated. Councillor Rajawat stated that while no one should enter local politics for the money, financial barriers should not prevent individuals from serving their communities.
A proposed amendment by Councillor Tony Brown, seeking to reduce the overall cost to taxpayers, was rejected after a recorded vote. The council ultimately approved the original motion for the revised Members' Allowances Scheme.
Councillor Brown's amendment aimed to eliminate the extra £280,000 that it would cost, but actually to make a further £20,000 pound saving.
This suggests a projected saving of £20,000 compared to the original proposal, which was estimated to cost an additional £280,000 per year. Councillor Brown argued that at a time when the borough was extremely hard pressed,
with no growth in the economy since 2008,
a growing massive
public sector deficit, and exorbitant interest rates,
it was a kick in the teeth for the voters of the borough to demand an extra £280,000 pounds a year.
He described his amendment as an amendment for the many, not the few,
taking money from councillors who would receive big allowances
and making a small increase for everybody.
The recorded vote on Councillor Brown's amendment saw 12 votes in favour and 32 votes against, with 15 members abstaining. Following the rejection of the amendment, the original motion was approved by 32 votes to 12 against, with 15 abstentions.
The full details of the council's discussions and the proposed scheme can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting. Further information is also available in the Agenda frontsheet and Supplementary Agenda.