§ Bob RussellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid in attendance allowances to local authority councillors in England in each of the last 10 financial years; and how much he estimates will be allocated in the current financial year. [118742]
§ Mr. RaynsfordLocal authorities have not been able to pay attendance allowance since July 2001. When attendance allowance was payable, information on the amounts paid by local authorities to councillors was not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Councillors may receive basic and special responsibility allowances in respect of their duties. These are discretionary allowances, with their levels set by individual local authorities, having regard to the recommendations of their independent remuneration panels. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not gather information on the total amount of allowances paid to councillors.