The Northern Ireland Executive has approved a 5% increase in the basic allowance for local councillors, set to take effect from 1 April 2025.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed the decision while also announcing plans to amend legislation to give his department full control over setting councillor allowances in the future.
Currently, individual councils set the basic allowance within guidelines set by the Department for Communities, leading to varying pay rates across different councils. The new changes aim to standardise councillor pay and ensure consistency in remuneration, regardless of location.
This decision follows recommendations from the Review of the Role and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland report, which was submitted in August last year. The report highlighted the increasing workload and responsibilities of councillors and the need for fairer compensation.
Minister Lyons emphasised that he carefully considered the financial burden on ratepayers before approving the increase. He pointed out that the 5% rise aligns with wider public sector pay settlements and reflects the growing complexity and time commitment of council duties.
The Minister also justified the move to centralise allowance decisions, stating that it is fair for all councillors to receive the same basic pay rather than having discrepancies based on location.
The 5% allowance increase and the shift to department-controlled rates will come into effect from April 2025. These changes are expected to improve fairness in councillor remuneration while addressing concerns about workload and responsibilities in local government.
