Allowances
All councillors receive a basic allowance. In addition, some councillors receive a special responsibility allowance in recognition of additional duties, such as being a Cabinet member. Full details of the Merton's councillors' allowances scheme are set out in part 6 of the Council's constitution. All councils are required to publish details of payments to councillors annually.
Basis for allowances
The Council on 1 February 2023 agreed to re-adopt its scheme of allowances for the year 2023/24 and in doing so gave due regard to the recommendations made by an Independent Panel (report of the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London) and has published a public notice to that effect.
Councillors’ expenses payments
Councillors can claim expenses as part of carrying out their job including travel expenses for travel outside the borough. The criteria for this are set out in part 6 of the Council’s constitution.
Councillors with dependents can claim an allowance where it is necessary to pay for care to allow them to carry out their council duties, such as attending official meetings.