District councillors look set to receive a salary increase with £26,000 additional allowances recommended across the council from May 2022.

Whilst basic pay for councillors will stay fixed at £5,632 per year, Warwick District Council committee members and party leaders could all receive a pay rise.

Most notably the council leader could now receive £16,333 annually – an increase of more than £3,500.

Portfolio holders, the chairman of the planning committee and the deputy leader would all receive at least £1,200 extra per year.

Recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel, new allowances have already been backed by WDC's cabinet.

With the council recently introducing new parking charges and possible green bin collections, councillors said there was never a good time to raise payments.

"In my over 30 years on the council I have found that this is the most embarrassing time that the council has every four years," said Cllr Alan Boad at February's cabinet meeting.

"It is never the right time to put up expenses and allowances; it is never ever the right time.

"The amount of stick you get in the press lasts for about a week and then it is gone."

The report found that WDC councillors were paid far less than most of their counterparts across the county and the country.

Basic and special responsibility allowances were found to "not reflect a fair rate".

And members agreed that increasing allowances made local government accessible to candidates from all backgrounds.

"Several of us in this room would do this for nothing, we are probably mad enough to do that," said Cllr Ian Davidson.

"But there are certainly others on the council who it makes a real difference to, and I am sure that if they are getting a responsibility they may have to give up an element of their work which is very hard.

"For some it may be a token, for others it is an important amount."

The council currently spends £360,996 each year on councillor allowances.

This will rise to £361,803 if the plans are approved.

Allowance increases will be put to a full council vote this Wednesday (February 23).

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