Expenses and allowances
County councillors are not paid a salary, but receive a basic allowance of £12,941 to help them fulfil their duties.
Councillors with extra responsibilities, like members of the Cabinet, can receive an additional Special Responsibility Allowance.
Councillors can also claim expenses to cover the costs of things like travel while carrying out their duties.
The amount each councillor receives in expenses and allowances is published in a monthly report. At the end of the financial year, an annual report of expenses and allowances is published.
You can find out more about how we work out expenses and allowances as part of the Members Allowances Scheme in the Essex County Council Constitution.
Monthly expenses and allowances report
Monthly expenses and allowance reports are published 2 to 4 weeks after the month end.
Expenses and allowances March 2024 (PDF, 151.79 KB)
Expenses and allowances February 2024 (PDF, 151.73KB)
Expenses and allowances January 2024 (PDF, 154.22KB)
Expenses and allowances December 2023 (PDF, 108.12KB)
Expenses and allowances November 2023 (PDF, 108.02KB)
Expenses and allowances October 2023 (PDF, 108.08KB)
Expenses and allowances September 2023 (PDF, 151.65KB)
Expenses and allowances August 2023 (PDF, 109.11 KB)
Expenses and allowances July 2023 (PDF, 109.12 KB)
Expenses and allowances June 2023 (PDF, 109.37 KB)
Expenses and allowances May 2023 (PDF, 109.85 KB)
Expenses and allowances April 2023 (PDF, 146.47kB)
Annual expenses and allowances summary
Expenses and allowances 2022 to 2023 (PDF, 213.33 KB)
Expenses and allowances 2021 to 2022 (PDF, 250.94kB)
Expenses and allowances 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 171kB)
Expenses and allowances 2019 to 2020 (PDF, 191kB)
Expenses and allowances 2018 to 2019 (PDF 186kB)
Expenses and allowances 2017 to 2018 (PDF 266kB)
Independent Remuneration Panel
We are required to establish an Independent Remuneration Panel, under the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (As amended).
The purpose of the panel is to review the allowances paid to councillors. These include allowances for councillors’ basic duties, special responsibilities, childcare, travel and substance. The panel makes recommendations to the council on the appropriate level of payments to be made.
The panel is made up of local people, not connected with the council. We advertise for panel members on our website when we have vacancies.
Our Independent Remuneration Panel met in March 2022.
View the Independent Remuneration Panel report (PDF, 989KB).
We received revised recommendations that were agreed by Council at its meeting in July 2022. View the revised recommendations report (PDF, 250KB).
If you are unable to access the reports online, copies can be made available at County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH by emailing democratic.services@essex.gov.uk.
Indexation was applied in May 2023 and the basic allowance is now £12,941.
The special responsibility (SRA) allowance rates from May 2023 are as follows:
| Allowance | Current amount for 2021-22 | Number | Recommended Allowance Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Council | £58,235 | 1 | 450% of Basic |
| Deputy Leader | £46,582 | 1 | 80% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Cabinet Member | £39,017 | 8 | 67% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Chairman of the Council | £23,294 | 1 | 40% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Leader of the Main Opposition Group | £17,470 | 1 | 30% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Scrutiny Board Chairman | £17,470 | 1 | 30% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Deputy to Cabinet Member | £14,559 | 11 | 25% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Committee Chairman | £14,559 | 8 | 25% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Vice Chairman of Council | £11,647 | 1 | 20% of Leader’s Allowance |
| Minority Group Leaders | £5,823 | 2 | 10% of Leader’s Allowance |