Basic annual allowance
All 110 Councillors will get a basic annual allowance of £16,651 in 2026 to 2027.
On 18 May 2026, Somerset Council will update its Scrutiny Committee arrangements. These changes are reflected in the attached Scheme.
Some Councillors will get an extra special responsibility allowance to reflect their extra duties:
| Position | Annual allowance |
|---|---|
| PositionCouncil Leader | Annual allowance£41,628 |
| PositionDeputy Leader | Annual allowance£24,977 |
| PositionLead Member (up to 8) | Annual allowance£21,646 |
| PositionOpposition Leader (Conservative) | Annual allowance£16,651 |
| PositionChair of Council | Annual allowance£16,651 |
| PositionChair of Strategic Planning Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Planning Committee North | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Planning Committee East | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Planning Committee South | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Planning Committee West | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Licensing and Regulatory Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair Constitution and Governance Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Audit Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Scrutiny Adults and Health Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Scrutiny Children and Families Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Scrutiny Communities Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Scrutiny Climate and Place Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Scrutiny Corporate and Resources Committee | Annual allowance£8,326 |
| PositionChair of Pensions Fund Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionChair of Standards Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionChair of Harbour Management Advisory Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionChair of Human Resources Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Council | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionAssociate Lead Members (up to 9) | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Constitution and Governance Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair Strategic Planning Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair Licensing and Regulatory Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair Audit Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Scrutiny for, Adults and Health Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Scrutiny for Children and Families Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Scrutiny for Communities Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Scrutiny for Climate and Place Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Scrutiny for Corporate and Resources Committee | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Planning Sub-Committee North | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Planning Sub-Committee East | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Planning Sub-Committee South | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionVice-Chair of Planning Sub-Committee West | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionOpposition Group Spokespersons Deputy Leader (Conservative) | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionGroup Leader Labour | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionGroup Leader Independent | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionGroup Leader Green | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionGroup Leader Reform | Annual allowance£4,163 |
| PositionCo-opted member allowance | Annual allowance£1,000 |
Travel allowances
- Mileage rate up to 10,000 miles per annum– 45p per mile
- Mileage rate over 10,000 miles per annum – 25p
- Passenger supplement – 5p per person per mile
- Motorbike – 24p per mile
- Bicycle – 20p per mile
Subsistence allowances
- Breakfast – £9.01
- Lunch – £12.40
- Tea – £4.82
- Evening meal – £15.36
- Overnight absence (bed and breakfast) maximum outside London – £144.45
- Overnight absence (bed and breakfast) maximum inside London – £162.91