Bracknell Forest Council - Councillors’ Members’ Allowances Scheme Approval

LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2003

COUNCILLORS’ ALLOWANCES

INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL REPORT AND MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES SCHEME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at its meeting on Wednesday 14 January 2026, Bracknell Forest Council considered the report and recommendations of its Independent Remuneration Panel, appointed to review the allowances paid to councillors, and approved all of the Panel’s recommendations. The Council has made a new Members’ Allowances Scheme which takes effect from 1 April 2026 and will remain in force until it is amended or superseded by the Council. The main features of the Scheme are set out below:

1. Basic Allowance

The Basic Allowance payable to all councillors is £10,155 per annum. This has been calculated using a 30% Public Service Discount and is subject to annual indexation.

2. Special Responsibility Allowances

No councillor may receive more than one Special Responsibility Allowance at any time (the One SRA Only Rule).

The following Special Responsibility Allowances are payable per annum:

• Leader of the Council: £33,512

• Deputy Leader: £20,107

• Cabinet Member with Portfolio: £18,432

• Mayor of the Council: £13,405

• Deputy Mayor of the Council: £4,424

• Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission: £8,378

• Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels: £6,702

• Chair of the Planning Committee: £8,378

• Vice Chair of the Planning Committee: £1,676

• Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee: £3,351

• Chair of the Employment Committee: £2,513

• Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee: £5,027

Single Minority Group Leaders:

• Single Minority Group Leaders will receive an allowance calculated at £817 per group member, provided the group represents at least 15% of Council membership.

No Special Responsibility Allowance is payable for:

• Single Minority Group Deputy Leader

• Vice Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee

3. Co-opted and Independent Persons allowances

The following allowances will continue, with annual indexation, at the rates shown:

• Co-opted members: £355 per annum

• Co-opted members preparing for and attending Code of Conduct Panels: £69 for meetings up to 4 hours and £139 for meetings over 4 hours

• Education Appeal Panel members: £65 for hearings up to 4 hours and £129 for hearings over 4 hours

• Independent Person Code of Conduct Panel: £400 per annum

• Reserve Independent Person Code of Conduct Panel: £200 per annum

4. Travel and subsistence

Travel and subsistence allowances will continue in line with HMRC rates, with no changes.

5. Dependant carers allowance

Dependant carers allowance will continue on two rates:

• Childcare: linked to the Real Living Wage as recommended by the Living Wage Foundation

• Specialist care: reimbursed at actual cost on production of receipts and required evidence, including medical evidence where appropriate

No daily or monthly maximum applies when undertaking approved duties.

6. Parental leave

The Council will continue its Parental Leave Policy for councillors.

7. Indexation

The Basic Allowance, each Special Responsibility Allowance, and the Co opted and Independent Persons allowances will be increased annually in line with the percentage increase in staff salaries from April 2026, for up to four years.

Viewing the full report and scheme

Copies of the Independent Remuneration Panel report, the Members’ Allowances Scheme, and the record of allowances paid (kept under Regulation 15) are available on the Council’s website at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk and may be inspected at the Council Offices, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JD, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).