Labour has accused the Green administration of “wasting” taxpayer money – but the Tories say the town hall will save £11k because there are no longer two council deputy leaders, reports Marco Marcelline
The Labour Party has attacked the Greens’ move to afford special responsibility allowances (SRAs) to the Tory leadership and chief whip as “wasteful madness”.
All Green Party and Conservative councillors approved the decision, which will cost the taxpayer around £26,000, at a full council meeting on Thursday, 16th July.
Under the previous Labour-led administration only the leader of the largest opposition party and its chief whip were entitled to special responsibility allowances, which are paid out on top of the basic councillor allowance of £13,085.
May’s local election saw the Green Party seize control of the chamber with 31 seats to Labour’s 15 and the Conservatives’ 14, meaning that there are two opposition parties for the first time since 2010.
In response, the Greens’ opted to expand SRA allowances to the leadership and chief whip of both opposition parties, rather than pay these to only the largest (Labour).
It means that Tory leader Emma Best will continue to receive an SRA of £20,528 and Conservative chief whip Mitchell Goldie will benefit from £6,102.
Supporting the rule change, Green Party councillor for Leyton, Rob Gardner, said: “A healthy council needs an effective administration but it also needs organised and properly supported opposition, group leaders and whips carry substantial responsibilities – coordinating members, supporting participation, managing council business and enabling scrutiny and challenge.”
But the move came under attack from Labour councillor for Upper Walthamstow Caramel Quin who admonished the Greens for “not using taxpayer money properly”.
Cllr Quin said: “I think it should be called out that one of the first acts of this Green-led council is proposing to financially support the smallest opposition with over £26,000. I thought the Green Party was more progressive.”
Unsuccessfully calling on the Greens to change tack, she added: “I don’t know whether you’ve been strong-armed or sweet-talked into this but please explain why public money must be spent this way. Giving away more than £26k needlessly when this money could be better spent on the residents of Waltham Forest is madness.”
Labour’s criticism was quickly labelled “audacious” by Cllr Best, who pointed out the move had saved taxpayers’ money because the Green administration had opted for one deputy leader and not two.
She said: “Councillor Quin please get a calculator out. The previous administration had two deputy leaders [Councillors Clyde Loakes and Ahsan Khan] for no reason. That cost £37,000 – this costs £26,000 – does this not represent a saving to residents?”
Praising the new administration, Cllr Best added: “I welcome the moves that the Green-run council has made to save money on SRAs already on year one; they’re putting more money into the pockets of residents.”
The Greens decided to freeze all salaries paid to councillors, with the basic allowance (£13,085), council leader package (£58,051), and cabinet salary (£29,025) all remaining unchanged.
In 2025, Labour increased councillors’ remuneration by 2.5%, down from the 6% increase the party pushed through in 2024.
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