Hartlepool Councillors Reject Proposed 3% Pay Rise Amid Cost-of-Living Struggles
- teessidetoday
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Proposed 3% INCREASE to councillors allowances was rejected when the recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel went before the councils full meeting earlier this week...
21st August 2025
Hartlepool Borough Council has voted against proposals to award themselves a 3% increase in allowances, with Labour leaders insisting the move proves they are “putting Hartlepool first.”
The recommendations, made by the council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), would have raised councillors’ basic allowance from £8,330 to £8,580 a year, backdated to May 2025. The report argued that higher allowances were necessary to encourage a wider pool of candidates to stand for election, noting the increasing workload and responsibilities councillors face.
But when the proposals went before full council on Wednesday 20th August, they were firmly rejected by the Labour-led majority. Councillors also chose to continue their stance of not accepting Special Responsibility Payments—extra sums usually awarded to committee chairs, which can significantly boost a councillor’s pay packet.
Labour councillors this week defended their decision as an example of public service during difficult times. One senior figure told residents:
“This is what putting our town first looks like. We are showing Hartlepool that public service comes before personal gain.”
The IRP had warned that freezing or rejecting allowances could discourage talented candidates from entering local politics. However, many residents questioned whether councillors accepting a pay rise during a period of soaring poverty levels & controversy over allegations of the local council profiteering from those struggling to pay their council tax with punitive 'unlawful' court costs would have gone down well with the public.
Labour also faces growing pressure from Reform UK, which has made significant gains in recent by-elections and attracted a string of local defections. Some political observers believe Labour’s rejection of the pay increase was as much about reconnecting with disillusioned voters as it was about financial responsibility & may, at least for the moment bought them some much needed time to win round locals seemingly being 'wooed' by Reform...
Savings Claimed for Frontline Services
By rejecting the rise, Hartlepool Borough Council says it has saved around £61,828. On top of this, councillors recently approved a new senior management restructure—the third since 2018—which is expected to save a further £100,000.
Labour claims these savings will be reinvested into frontline services, an area where residents have expressed concern about long-term underfunding.
Whether this move strengthens Labour’s position locally, or simply provides ammunition for their Reform UK challengers, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: councillors have chosen, at least for now, to stand alongside the residents they represent rather than lining their own wallets.
How long that position will last however, remains to be seen !
Read our previous report here !
