Alderney’s States Members could see a “material uplift” in their pay – taking wages for some of them to more than £22,000 per year by 2028.
The 10 States politicians are currently paid an allowance of £12,240 per year.
An independent review of their remuneration found that is too low – and they should all be paid £22,000 per year with the committee Chairs being paid an additional £3,080 taking their total to just over £25,000 per year.
The report’s author has said that would “properly reflect the importance of the role and the responsibilities attached to it”. However, Martin Thornton M.A LL.B has said increasing States Members’ pay across the board now is “currently unachievable for financial reasons” so he has instead suggested incremental pay rises over the next three years.
“In my view the current allowance payable to Members is too low and requires a material uplift,” he wrote. “A target wage based on 2025 values in Alderney, given the cost of housing and utilities in particular, would in my view be £22,000 per annum. This figure in my view properly reflects the importance of the role and the responsibilities attached to it. The Chair of a committee should be entitled to a supplemental allowance of 14% equalling £3,080. The total allowance for a Chair of a Committee would therefore be £25,080.”
With the increase deemed unaffordable at the moment, as it would cost the States of Alderney around £100,000 on top of their existing budgets, Mr Thornton has suggested a staggered increase – and also recommended a potential reduction in the number of politicians from 10 to 7 which could be considered in the future to save the island money.
His staggered increases would see States Members paid £15,000 next year and £17,500 during 2027, and £20,000 during 2028.
Committee Chairs could be paid £17,100 next year, £19,950 in 2027, and £22,800 in 2028 if this approach is agreed.
The States of Alderney will consider this at their meeting next Wednesday, following this week’s Peoples’ Meeting where members of the public can question their politicians.
The public have already been given their chance to comment on States Members’ pay, with a public consultation carried out during the autumn.
Among the feedback given then, a majority of respondents agreed that States Members should be paid, but more than half of the respondents also said Committee Chairs should not be paid more than other States Members.
“Summarising these results, it can be concluded that generally current remuneration is in keeping with the views of the majority in the Community – albeit that for 50% of those who selected the two lowest bands – current pay (including that for Committee Chairs) would be at the low end – whilst Members, who have experienced the responsibilities of the role would argue for a more significant increase in the remuneration,” wrote Mr Thornton in his summary.