February 26, 2015 12.00 pm This story is over 109 months old

Lincoln councillors approved 2.2% rise in allowances and council rent

Rises approved: The City of Lincoln Council has approved a rise of 2.2% for members’ allowances, in addition to a 2.2% rise in council house rents.

The City of Lincoln Council has approved a rise of 2.2% for members’ allowances, in addition to a 2.2% rise in council house rents.

The full council accepted the recommendations at a meeting on February 24.

The Independent Remuneration Panel recommended that the increase in allowances, in line with staff pay awards, should be applied to the current members allowance scheme back dated to January 1, 2015.

The budget provision for 2015-16 for members allowances is £219,690. The council’s Medium Term Finance Strategy assumes a 2.2% pay rise of staff during that year.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, said: “The council has agreed the recommendation of the the Independent Remuneration panel for a 2.2% increase in the allowances rate.

“In the past eight years the allowance has risen by only 1% and the decision remains in keeping with this restraint.

“A system of meeting expenses associated with carrying out duties as an elected member is important. It ensures that people from all walks of life are able to become councillors without being impeded by the costs of doing so.”

The meeting also saw through the implementation of a 2.2% rise in council rent (£1.51 pw) in line with Government Rent Guidelines.

The revised rents will be in place from Monday, April 6, 2015, resulting in an average 52 week rent of £70.52 per week.

Garage rents are also proposed to be increased by 2.2%.

Councillor Metcalfe added: “The rise in council house rents is now determined by national rent restructuring for council houses so is not in the hands of our authority.

“The level of average council house rents still compare very favourably with the private rented sector. Council rents average about £70 per week whereas they’re £100 per week privately.”