Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales’ allowance has risen by almost 10 per cent in the last five years.
The council leader was ‘paid’ �81,029 in 2011/12, an increase on the previous year.
His special responsibility allowance has risen every year since 2002/03, when he was able to claim a basic allowance of �58,534.
The ‘salary’ has been set by an independent panel set up by London Councils since April 2010.
A Newham Council spokesman said the Mayor did not take his full allowance last year.
He added: “The Mayor decided to donate the difference in the amount to charity and that arrangement still continues.”
The Labour-run authority’s 60 councillors were entitled to claim a basic allowance of �10,734 in 2011/12. Deputy mayor and Little Ilford Cllr Andrew Baikle claimed a special responsibility allowance of �35,655.
Executive member Cllrs Ian Corbett, Unmesh Desai. Lester Hudson, Conor McAuley and Richard Hudson were entitled to special responsibility allowances of more than �30,000.
The Mayor’s allowance was higher than that of Hackney’s Jules Pipe, who was entitled to �75,846.14. Tower Hamlets Mayor Luftur Rahman was able to claim �65,000 in 2011/12.
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