Debate over size of Crawley mayor’s allowance

The mayor currently receives £11,239, compared to £4,000 in Chichester, just over £1,000 in Haywards Heath and £6,500 in Worthing. 

Up in Reigate, though, the allowance stands at just over £13,000.

Unless Crawley Borough Council comes up with a reason for keeping it as it is, the panel has recommended it be reduced – and left it up to the governance committee to decide what the allowance should be.

The committee met on Tuesday (January 26) and agreed it would not be appropriate for them to ‘pluck a figure out of thin air’, instead sending the report back to the panel for their views.

Not everyone agreed the allowance should be reduced.

Former mayor Chris Mullins (Lab, Gossops Green & North East Broadfield) pointed out that, during normal years, the role ran day and night, seven days a week.

He added that he didn’t think it was right to compare the allowance with that given by other towns ‘because they’re nothing like Crawley’.

Kevan McCarthy (Con,  Pound Hill North & Forge Wood) added: “I don’t really want to make a decision based on a coronavirus year where things are different.

“When things are back to normal we could end up with a scheme that’s no longer fair.”

Mr McCarthy also pointed out that social media now added to the hours of work carried out by the mayor.

Current incumbent Francis Guidera has a very strong social media presence, continually promoting the town and its people on his Twitter feed.

The independent panel also recommended that allowances for councillors and those holding special posts – such as leader or cabinet member – should not change in 2021/22.

The panel’s report and the governance committee’s recommendations will be discussed at a meeting of the full council next month.