The mayor has pledged to cut the amount councillors get paid for carrying out extra duties.

In a council meeting on Thursday, a motion was passed to review the amount councillors get in Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs).

SRAs are paid to councillors who carry out additional duties, like chairing sub-committees, leading scrutiny committees or being cabinet members.

The changes are hoped to make the payment of SRAs more transparent and reduce the cost of the overall scheme. They are expected to save the council £181,547 per year.

Everyone who receives an SRA is placed in a band, according to the complexity and time it takes to carry out tasks. Band three, which includes cabinet members, would receive between £36,917 and £43,460, while those in band one, like vice chairs of sub-committees, would receive between £2,582 and £9,397.

Rokhsana Fiaz, Newham’s mayor, said: “It’s important for us to have a discussion about a fair process of attributing SRAs to those members of the council who are taking up particular service duties.

“That includes myself as mayor, cabinet members and chairs of various committees that keep the council ticking along, who ensure our decision-making takes into account the designs of this new administration.

“This amendment I have put forward addresses past concerns raised. This will be a deliberative process, and we will review the amendment in three months time.”