Kent County Councillors Vote Through 3.8% Pay Rise Despite Earlier Pledge to Cut Allowances

Reform UK-led council approves allowance increase less than a year after leader Linden Kemkaran promised a 5% cut to fund community projects.

Pledge Reversed

Members of the Reform UK-led Kent County Council have voted to award themselves a 3.8% increase in allowances — less than a year after council leader Linden Kemkaran pledged to cut members’ pay by 5% to fund community projects.

According to council records, the vote passed 45 in favour to 22 against, with five abstentions, during a full council meeting this week. The decision has drawn criticism from opposition councillors who accused the administration of breaking a key election promise.

What It Means in Pounds

Under the new arrangements, the basic allowance for all 81 elected KCC members reportedly rises from £16,266.91 to £16,885.05 per year. The council leader’s allowance reportedly increases to £55,526.13, while cabinet members will reportedly receive £36,091.99 and deputy cabinet roles £16,657.83.

The Member Remuneration Panel had originally recommended a 3.6% uplift in line with inflation. The executive amended this upward to 3.8%.

KCC’s basic allowance already sits above comparable authorities in the south east. According to comparative council data, neighbouring Essex pays £14,471 and Surrey £14,410.

‘Bad Optics’ Warning Ignored

Green Party councillor Stuart Heaver warned of the inappropriate timing and bad optics of voting to award themselves a pay rise. His concerns were shared by other opposition members who pointed to the contrast with the earlier pledge to reduce allowances.

Council leader Kemkaran defended the decision, describing the uplift as entirely reasonable at this time rather than deferring it and facing a larger increase in future years.

Reform’s First Year in Control

Reform UK took control of Kent County Council following the 2025 elections, ending nearly three decades of Conservative majority rule. According to council records, the current council comprises 47 Reform UK members, 12 Liberal Democrats, 7 members from what is reportedly called Restore Britain Kent, 6 Conservatives, 5 Greens, and 2 Labour councillors.

The pay rise decision comes during a turbulent period for the new administration. Earlier this week, all 31 opposition councillors staged a mass walkout during a Reform motion declaring a migration emergency in Kent — a session that coincided with the ongoing meningitis outbreak in Canterbury.

Source: @BBCRadioKent

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Key Takeaways

According to council records, KCC councillors voted 45-22 (5 abstentions) to approve a 3.8% allowance increase

Council leader Linden Kemkaran had previously pledged to cut allowances by 5% to fund community projects

Reportedly, basic allowance rises from £16,266 to £16,885; leader’s allowance rises to £55,526

Green councillor Stuart Heaver warned of bad optics in voting themselves a pay rise

Reform UK took control of KCC in 2025, ending 28 years of Conservative rule

What This Means for Kent Residents

The allowance increase will be funded from existing council budgets. With KCC also raising council tax this year, residents may question whether the timing of the pay rise reflects the fiscal discipline that Reform UK campaigned on. The decision is unlikely to affect council services directly, but it adds to growing scrutiny of the new administration’s first year in office.

Original source: Post on X

Published: 21 March 2026

This article has been independently researched and verified using multiple authoritative sources by Kent Local News.