ALLOWANCES for councillors will rise by 1.8 per cent to more than £8,321 after they approved their own increase at the Town Hall.

The allowance scheme currently states the basic allowance should rise annually, in accordance with a percentage amount for inflation as determined by any ‘positive value’ of the consumer price index.

But it adds that in the event of deflation, there will be no change to the level of basic allowance.

Using the existing formula, the independent remuneration panel recommended the basic allowance offered to all members should increase by 1.8 per cent from £8,174.28 to £8,321.41.

It presents a rise of £147.13 per council member and an additional revenue cost to the overall scheme in the sum of £8,533.54.

When considering the options, the panel noted that officers of the Labour-run authority had received a two per cent pay rise.

And it was aware that for 2018-19 the council had agreed a two per cent increase to the basic allowance in line with the award for staff.

A two per cent rise to the basic allowance would have seen a rise from £8,174.28 to £8,337.76 – a rise of £163.48 per council member and an additional revenue increase to the overall scheme in the sum of £9,481.84.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden proposed the increase of 1.8 per cent, rather than 2 per cent, during Monday’s full council meeting at the Town Hall.

The Labour politician said he thinks ‘it is right to take the lower one’.

Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, echoed his views.

He told members that he thought it was ‘right to do’ what the panel recommended.

Councillors approved the 1.8 per cent increase in line with the consumer price index figure as recommended by the panel.

The panel routinely consults with elected members and officers on a range of issues as part of its annual work programme.