For those interested in serving their community, Ipswich Borough Council outlines the process of becoming a councillor and details the allowances they receive.
Here’s a detailed guide on becoming a councillor and the remuneration associated with the role.
What is a councillor?
Councillors are elected officials who represent their communities and contribute to the local council's decision-making processes. The role demands commitment and hard work, often requiring councillors to balance their duties with work and family commitments.
How to become a councillor
Ipswich Borough Council provides a comprehensive support system to help new councillors develop the necessary skills and knowledge through induction programmes, mentoring, and training courses.
Prospective councillors can review the Ward Councillor Role Description on the East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) website to explore the role's responsibilities and skills.
Interested individuals can also contact the leaders of the political groups within Ipswich Borough Council for more information:
Labour Group: Councillor Neil MacDonald (neil.macdonald@councillors.ipswich.gov.uk)
Conservative Group: Councillor Ian Fisher (ian.fisher@councillors.ipswich.gov.uk)
Liberal Democrats Group: Councillor Oliver Holmes (oliver.holmes@councillors.ipswich.gov.uk)
For independent advice and non-political queries, Ainsley Gilbert, Democratic Services Manager, can be contacted at ainsley.gilbert@ipswich.gov.uk.
How much are councillors paid?
Every councillor in Ipswich is entitled to a basic allowance subject to annual indexation in line with Local Government Officer Pay Awards.
The basic allowance for 2023/24 is £4,813, up from £4,634 in 2022/23.
Councillors holding specific positions are also entitled to Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). Here’s a breakdown of the SRAs for 2023/24:
Leader: £13,477 (Basic Allowance x 2.8)
Deputy Leader: £9,434 (70% of Basic Allowance x 2.8)
Executive with Portfolio: £8,953 (Basic Allowance x 1.86)
Executive without Portfolio: £4,477 (Basic Allowance x 0.93)
Chair of Council (The Mayor): £4,477 (Basic Allowance x 0.93)
Chairs of Committees: £4,477 (Basic Allowance x 0.93)
Leader of Largest Opposition Group: £4,477 (Basic Allowance x 0.93)
Leader of Other Opposition Group: £2,214 (Basic Allowance x 0.46)
These allowances are designed to compensate councillors for their time and effort in serving the community. No councillor is entitled to more than one SRA from the council at any time.
