Members' allowances 2025 to 2026

On 24 July 2025 Woking Borough Council having regard to the recommendations of an Independent Remuneration Panel, resolved to amend its scheme for members' allowances, all in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

The council resolved that:

1. the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be thanked for their hard work
2. the basic allowance payable to councillors be increased by 3.2%, to be backdated to 1 April 2025
3. the special responsibility allowance (SRA) payable to the Leader of the Council (and as a consequence, all special responsibility allowances) be increased by 3.2%, to be backdated to 1 April 2025
4. the basic allowance should be increased each subsequent year by the cost of living increase awarded to officers
5. travelling allowances remain in line with HMRC approved mileage rates
6. the subsistence allowance be paid in line with those paid by the council
7. payment for childcare costs incurred by councillors while on council business be paid at the living wage rate and limited to individuals aged 18 or older and unrelated to the member
8. the adult dependent care allowance be set at the Surrey County Council domiciliary care rate and the maximum paid to any one member in each municipal year be limited to £4,000, with the head of paid service to be the final arbiter

The amended scheme has effect for the municipal year 2025 to 2026.

Copies of the scheme of allowances payable to members, and records of payments made in accordance with it, and the Independent Remuneration Panel’s report, are available for inspection by members of the public by appointment between 9am and 4.45pm at council's offices.

Address:

Woking Borough Council
Civic Offices
Gloucester Square
Woking
Surrey
GU21 6YL

Date: 28 August 2025
Council officer: Director of Legal and Democratic Services