Local councillors

What councillors do, find your local councillor, the Leader of the Council, register of interests, code of conduct, allowances and expenses, become a councillor.

Contents

Councillor allowances and expenses

There are specific financial allowances that local councillors are entitled to claim. 

These allowances are agreed by the Chief Executive, under delegated authority and in consultation with an Independent Remuneration Panel.

The basic allowance for 2025 to 2026 is £7,616.16.

Special responsibility allowances (SRAs)

Some roles are allocated a special responsibility allowance:

  • Leader of the Council: £12,384
  • Deputy Leader of the Council: £3,715.20 (30% of the Leader SRA)
  • Shared Deputy Leader of the Council: £3,096 (25% of the Leader SRA)
  • Leader of the Opposition: £1,238.40 (10% of the Leader SRA)
  • Other Executive Members and Portfolio Holders: £2,476.80 (20% of the Leader SRA)
  • Planning Committee Chair: £2,476.80 (20% of the Leader SRA)
  • Scrutiny Committee Chair: £1,238.40 (10% of the Leader SRA)
  • Licensing Committee Chair: £619.20 (5% of the Leader SRA)
  • Employment Committee Chair: £619.20 (5% of the Leader SRA)
  • Group Leader: £619.20 (5% of the Leader SRA)

Additional payments

In addition to the basic and special responsibility allowances, members are eligible for additional payments whilst on council business. These include:

  • loss allowance: remuneration for loss of earnings
  • travelling and subsistence: remuneration for travel and meals
  • dependants' carers' allowance: remuneration for childcare or dependents
  • co-optees: remuneration for persons who are not members of the authority but are members of a committee or sub-committee of the authority

Allowances scheme

For full details of allowances, download our members' (councillors') allowance scheme document.

Yearly payments made to councillors

Independent Remuneration Panel

Local authorities are required by the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 – legislation.gov.uk to establish and maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel. This panel makes recommendations on the level of basic and special responsibility allowances and associated matters that are paid to councillors.

We have a statutory requirement to review member’s allowances each year. Every 4 years, the panel meets to undertake a comprehensive review. It makes recommendations to the council, which we must consider before we establish a new scheme.  

Our panel is made up of 3 people who represent the business, voluntary and academic sectors.

Download the Independent Renumeration Panel Report 2025.

Contact us

Email: democratic.services@woking.gov.uk
Telephone: 01483 743 863