The role of council leader at county-level could pay almost £40,000 if proposals are backed this week.
A report to members of Lincolnshire County Council at a meeting this week says the increase in proposed allowances would see a total of £39,477 for 2025/26.
The amount last year was £38,514 for the leader, with the deputy leader receiving £25,2772. The increase for that role would see the bill at £25,909 for the coming year.
All the allowances come under the heading of ‘special responsibility’.
The county’s Independent Remuneration Panel met twice during October to review the scheme with a view to putting a recommendation to council this week.
The ‘Green Book’ indexing system used by the IRP means the scheme increase by the same percentage as staff.
The basic allowance for members will rise to £12,461.
Members of the council’s basic allowance is set to rise from £12,157 to £12,461 for the next financial year. Committee chairs will receive £14,953 apart from the scrutiny committees which are £11,834.
The vice chairman of the county council and of committees including planning and health and wellbeing will receive £4,984.
Members of the council will be told at the same meeting, on Friday, that the amount of grant from central government should be revealed later this month.
“The council continues to face significant cost pressures relating to price increases and growth in demand for services,” it says.
The government’s plans for devolution are also progressing, the report says.
“Work is well advanced on the development of the statutory instrument that will see the creation of the combined authority. The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority is expected to be established in February 2025.”
The single authority, once created, would replace all the current district councils and will be led by an elected mayor.
“The government has now confirmed that the devolution arrangements for Greater Lincolnshire will continue in accordance with the deal that was secured with previous government.”
