Overview
- Council papers published in early June set Liam Shrivastava’s annual mayoral pay at £93,575, a 5.4% increase on the £88,743 paid to his Labour predecessor.
- Shrivastava pledged during the campaign to take a 20% pay cut and the same council papers record his intention to donate 20% of the mayoral allowance to food justice initiatives.
- The increase follows a recommendation from an Independent Remuneration Panel and was approved at full council as part of a reshuffle of allowances intended to be cost-neutral.
- As part of the package, the deputy mayor’s pay remains £45,735, a higher-tier cabinet allowance was abolished, all nine cabinet members will receive £28,811 (up from £17,932), and basic councillor pay stays at £13,201.
- Opposition figures have accused the Greens of breaking a campaign promise and the row adds pressure on new Green administrations as Lewisham prepares major budget cuts and faces heightened public scrutiny.