The General Purposes Committee of Croydon Council met on Tuesday 4 November 2025 to discuss an increase to councillors' allowances and the council's calendar for the 2026-27 municipal year. The committee considered a report recommending a 3.2% increase in basic and special responsibility allowances for councillors, backdated to April 2025, and agreed to recommendations regarding the proposed council calendar for the upcoming municipal year.

Consideration of Local Government Staff Settlement Increase for Members' Allowance Scheme 2025/26

The committee considered a report recommending an uplift of 3.2% to councillors' basic and special responsibility allowances for the 2025/26 financial year. This increase is in line with the Local Government Staff Settlement and is proposed to be backdated to April 2025. The report noted that Croydon's basic allowance and special responsibility allowances are currently lower than those in many other London boroughs, referencing the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London's 2023 report¹.

Adrian May, Senior Democratic Service and Governance Officer, introduced the report, explaining that the local government staff settlement had been agreed earlier than usual, allowing for this consideration. He highlighted that Appendix 1 of the report contained the Independent Remuneration Panel's findings, and Appendix 2 showed the proposed new allowance levels. Consultation with all political parties had taken place, with the Green Party supporting the increase. The committee was asked to recommend to Full Council that the 3.2% increase be approved, along with amendments to the Members' Allowances Scheme. A further review of the scheme, including potential adjustments to expenses such as subsistence and car allowances, is scheduled for November 2025 to January 2026, with a report to be presented to Budget Council in February 2026.

Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Chair of the Committee, proposed accepting the recommendations. Concerns were raised about whether the increase had been budgeted for, which officers confirmed it had. The committee discussed the need to review expenses, particularly hotel remuneration, which was noted as being low and potentially causing councillors to be out of pocket. The proposed recommendations were agreed by the committee.

Council Calendar 2026-27

The committee also reviewed the proposed Council Calendar of meetings for the 2026-27 Municipal Year. Queries were raised regarding term-time holidays and the scheduling of meetings during school half-terms and around Easter. It was noted that officers aim to keep the second week of half-term clear where possible, but the lack of available dates and the timing of party conferences can lead to some meetings drifting into school holidays.

The impact of the 2026 local elections on the calendar was also discussed, with the Annual Council meeting being moved later in April to allow groups time to organise. Councillor Karen Jewitt highlighted the need to consider the impact of the calendar on staff with caring responsibilities and suggested exploring options such as online or daytime meetings, as had been successfully implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers explained that while online meetings were possible during the pandemic due to dispensations, current legislation requires changes to allow for voting in hybrid meetings. A nationwide consultation on hybrid meetings was mentioned, with Croydon's feedback supporting the option for councils to decide their own approach.

The committee agreed to the recommendations, which included agreeing the schedule of Council meetings for the 2026-27 municipal year, recommending the meeting dates for all other committees to Full Council, and noting the draft Cabinet meeting dates.