COUNCILLORS have approved a ‘special responsibility’ allowance for the chair and deputy chair of the housing policy committee.

A report on the issue came before full council at its meeting on Monday.

It said the Independent Remuneration Panel found that it would be ‘fair and appropriate’ to provide the same allowance as the other council policy committees – the supporting the local economy and policy committee, protecting the most vulnerable policy committee, building stronger communities policy committee, and organisational improvement and development policy committee – which would be £5,004 for the chair and £1,176 for the deputy chair.

A travel allowance of £486 would be payable ‘in line with all other members in receipt of a special responsibility allowance’, according to the report.

The report highlighted that the travel allowance would be £243 for the chair and £243 for the deputy chair – a total of £486.

At the meeting, as recommended, councillors approved the annual payment of £5,004 to the chair of the housing policy committee, approved the annual payment of £1,176 to the deputy chair, approved the travel allowance of £486 for the chair and deputy chair – and approved the ‘back dated payment’ to the current chair and deputy chair from the annual council meeting on May 20, 2024.