SIXTY per cent of Liberal Democrat councillors on Somerset Council have been receiving ‘special responsibility allowances’ on top of the basic £16,651 which all members are paid.

The Lib Dem administration, which has been battling to avoid the authority effectively being declared bankrupt ever since it was created in 2023, has created a record number of posts attracting extra payments for its councillors.

Figures obtained from the council show that 37 of the Lib Dem group’s 62 councillors will receive a ‘special responsibility allowance’ in 2026-27, after two more posts were created this year.

‘Special responsibility allowances’ are paid to councillors given leadership posts such as chairman and vice-chairman of various committees, and to political group leaders.

They range from an extra £4,163 up to the £24,977 paid to council deputy leader Cllr Liz Leyshon and the £41,628 which goes to the authority’s leader, Cllr Bill Revans.

Conservative opposition group leader Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, who receives £16,651 on top of his basic allowance, said: “The more Liberal Democrat councillors who are dependent on additional allowances, the more difficult it becomes to maintain genuine independence and scrutiny within the ruling group.

“Good scrutiny requires Liberal Democrat councillors who are willing to challenge the leadership when necessary, not a growing number who are part of the administration’s payroll.”

The council is restricted by law to having a maximum of 10 councillors on its cabinet, or executive, who hold portfolio responsibilities and receive the higher ‘special responsibility allowances’ of £21,646.

But the Lib Dem group has created a number of ‘associate lead member’ posts for its councillors, the number of which is not capped because they perform supporting roles without the individual decision-making powers of executive councillors.

The creation of ‘associate lead members’ is at the discretion of Cllr Revans in his council leader role.