Mayor Lutfur Rahman has announced that members of his cabinet in Tower Hamlets have signed an agreement committing them to a minimum of three days’ attendance per week after councillors approved a notable rise in their allowances.
What was agreed
The move follows a decision earlier this year to lift councillor allowances after a four‑year freeze. Under the new scheme, the basic annual allowance for councillors has been increased from £11,898 to £12,829. Cabinet members receive an extra allowance of £35,500, bringing their total entitlement to £48,292 a year, while the Deputy Mayor’s minimum entitlement now stands at £56,874.
“Councillors need to work ‘at least three days a week, full time’ and maintain a ‘high standard’ in carrying out their duties,” the mayor told his cabinet.
The mayor said residents expect high standards from those in leadership roles and that the written commitment was intended to underpin that expectation.
Arguments for the rise
Supporters of the increases, including those within the ruling Aspire group, argued the previous levels discouraged people from less affluent backgrounds from standing for council. During the debate in May, the Deputy Mayor emphasised the impact of low allowances on social representation.
“Our council allowance, being lower than other similar authorities, could discourage working class residents from standing for election to council and joining public service,” said Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar.
Members in favour also said that the workload for cabinet roles often reduces councillors’ ability to continue in outside employment, making higher allowances necessary to allow a wider range of people to serve.
How the change compares locally
The council has pointed out that even with the increase, allowances in Tower Hamlets remain below those in some neighbouring boroughs.
| Role | New annual entitlement |
|---|---|
| Basic councillor allowance | £12,829 |
| Cabinet member total | £48,292 |
| Deputy Mayor minimum | £56,874 |
- Allowances were increased after a four‑year freeze and approved by the ruling Aspire Party in May.
- The council says its new rates are still lower than neighbouring Hackney, Lewisham and Newham.
- Public declarations indicate only three of the nine cabinet members list outside employment.
Local impact and accountability
Allowances are not legally salaries but are intended to enable councillors to perform public duties — including making it feasible to reduce other working hours where necessary. The mayor’s insistence on a minimum attendance agreement is aimed at ensuring value for money and visible leadership for residents.
Opposition voices have raised concerns (the debate was ongoing at the time of publication) about the optics of raising allowances while asking for formal commitments on attendance. The council maintains the adjustments are in line with efforts to widen participation and mirror standards in similar London boroughs.
For locals, the change may affect how cabinet members balance council work with outside jobs and how visible they are in the borough. Minutes of council meetings and members’ declared interests remain the public record for monitoring attendance and other commitments.
