Elected members in Sandwell have backed a proposal to increase their annual basic allowance by £577, raising it to £12,129. Despite criticism from some opposition councillors, local officials argue the adjustment merely aligns with neighbouring rates and reflects recommendations by an independent remuneration panel (IRP).
At the council’s annual meeting on 13 May, the pay rise was approved following a report by the IRP, which advised a review after allowances were frozen in 2022. Council leaders defended the decision by noting that Sandwell’s payments remain the lowest in the West Midlands, lagging behind authorities such as Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
Lowest Pay in the Region, Say Council Leaders
According to Cllr Paul Moore, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, the new rate remains “in no way can be considered excessive” and is “still £600 behind Solihull and £1,000 behind Walsall and Wolverhampton”.
The IRP had previously advised an increase three years ago, but councillors at the time voted to maintain a freeze. The most recent proposal received majority support, with dissent from Conservative councillors Amrita Dunn and Les Trumpeter, and Green councillor John Tipper.
The basic allowance is granted to all 72 councillors in Sandwell. Additional sums are allocated to members with special responsibilities.
For example, Labour leader Cllr Kerrie Carmichael receives two-and-a-half times the base allowance — £28,584 in the 2023/24 financial year. Cabinet members are allocated £17,150 extra, while committee chairs receive amounts between £9,519 and £11,433, depending on their specific role.
Structural Changes Prompt Review of Special Responsibility Payments
As Sandwell Council undergoes a reorganisation of its committee structure, the IRP is set to reconvene to assess new rates for members holding special responsibilities. These include not only the leader and deputy leader, but also committee chairs and vice-chairs across departments such as planning, licensing, and scrutiny.
In 2022, a £1,925 pay award was offered nationally to most local government staff, including those working in schools and councils.
Despite that, Sandwell councillors declined to adjust their own pay in line with the inflationary increases suggested by the IRP at the time. The panel had recommended annual rises capped at 4%, which the council also voted to disregard.
Council leaders argue the latest rise is a correction, not a windfall. The adjustment reflects a broader effort to bring Sandwell’s remuneration closer to regional norms and to support councillors in fulfilling their roles with adequate compensation, according to the IRP’s guidance.
