COUNCILLORS of a cash-strapped council who lead committees could receive a pay rise if recommendations are approved, despite Slough Council’s ongoing financial woes.

Slough Borough councillors who chair or vice-chair various scrutiny functions or task and finish groups could get a small increase in their expenses.

The chairman of the corporate improvement scrutiny committee could see their allowance be increased from £8,092 to £10,404, whereas their vice-chairman that’s currently on £1,619 could see an increase of £2,081.

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The chairman of the standards committee currently doesn’t get any expenses reimbursed but could soon get an allowance of £1,156.

Meanwhile, three scrutiny task and finish committee leaders could get their current £10,404 allowance cut to £6,936 and the chairman of the audit and government committee could see theirs cut from £4,624 to £3,468.

These were recommendations set out by the Independent Remuneration Panel, which is a separate entity from the council and determines the level of pay for elected officials.

Councillors are not paid to be elected officials but can claim expenses, such as mileage.

If adopted by full council on Tuesday, March 28, these recommendations will take effect from April 1 and will last until 2027.

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Slough Borough Council effectively declared bankruptcy in 2021 after it amassed a £760m borrowing debt and £357m blackhole. It has increased council tax by nearly 10 per cent and is selling up to £600m of assets.

In November 2020, the ruling Labour group adopted recommendations for all councillors to receive a ‘long overdue’ pay rise in their allowances – the first increase since 2010.