Another deferral is expected when it comes to deciding the amount of cash Middlesbrough councillors receive annually. The town’s councillors are being recommended to increase their basic allowance for the current financial year, from £7,608, to the Teesside average of £8,999.

A crunch vote is coming at full council on Wednesday November 26, where councillors will be given the same options as they were in September : see the basic allowance increase while all over allowances remain at 2024 levels (both recommended by an independent panel), or propose its own scheme of allowances. The authority is required to publish a members scheme of allowances on an annual basis, and allowances should reflect the level of work, time and commitment of the role of councillor.

In September, councillor

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