Allowance rise for Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales

by Luke Jacobs Saturday, August 18, 2012
12:00 PM

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales’ allowance has risen by almost 10 per cent in the last five years.

The council leader was ‘paid’ £81,029 in 2011/12, an increase on the previous year.

His special responsibility allowance has risen every year since 2002/03, when he was able to claim a basic allowance of £58,534.

The ‘salary’ has been set by an independent panel set up by London Councils since April 2010.

A Newham Council spokesman said the Mayor did not take his full allowance last year.

He added: “The Mayor decided to donate the difference in the amount to charity and that arrangement still continues.”

The Labour-run authority’s 60 councillors were entitled to claim a basic allowance of £10,734 in 2011/12. Deputy mayor and Little Ilford Cllr Andrew Baikle claimed a special responsibility allowance of £35,655.

Executive member Cllrs Ian Corbett, Unmesh Desai. Lester Hudson, Conor McAuley and Richard Hudson were entitled to special responsibility allowances of more than £30,000.

The Mayor’s allowance was higher than that of Hackney’s Jules Pipe, who was entitled to £75,846.14. Tower Hamlets Mayor Luftur Rahman was able to claim £65,000 in 2011/12.