Councillors in Bexley are set to hand themselves a pay rise.

Local councillors, unlike MPs, are not paid a formal salary, but they are given cash every year to compensate for the time they spend on council business.

The cash, known as allowances, can vary from a couple of thousand pounds a year to £20,000 or more.

Councillors rarely vote to give themselves an increase, and in Bexley the sum has not been hiked since 2009.

The average councillor in Bexley is given £9,418 for their time, which has been lower than previously recommended amount.

In 2018 it has been recommended by a government panel that local officials are given £11,405 – however Bexley councillors are set to accept a modest increase of under £200, making their handout £9,606.

The money given to the Mayor is also expected to be hiked up to £15,049.

Councillors with special responsibility, such as the leader, deputy leader and opposition leader, get extra money for their time – ranging from £4,344 to £26,919.

According to a report to be agreed next week: “The basic allowance of £9,606 is paid to every Member of the Council automatically

and is made monthly in arrears.

“It is intended to recognise the core duties carried out by Members and also to cover incidental costs arising from these such as cost of postage, telephone calls and travel and subsistence within the Borough.”

Despite giving themselves a slight payrise, this will actually save the council money.

The number of councillors was slashed at the last election, reduced from 63 to 45 – and despite the hike in allowances, the council will be saving about £161,000.

What do councillors do? 

Councillors are elected every four years to serve residents in their wards and represent their views when making decisions.

Councillors attend meetings at the civic hall, hold the leader and their team to account, and help residents with council related problems.

The elected members make decisions on planning and on how council cash is spent, as well as sitting on committees that look at the environment and local healthcare.

Is the cash taxed? 

The allowances are subject to tax.

Who is on the council? 

The council in Bexley is Conservative led, and following the election in May it is made up of 34 Tories and 11 Labour opposition.