A OFFER by a councillor to take a pay cut if he fails to deliver has been rejected by his colleagues.

Colchester Council business supremo Paul Smith volunteered to be the “guinea pig” for a scheme which would have seen £1,200 a year docked from his special responsibility allowance – and only paid back if he performed well in the role.

He suggested that the initiative, which mirrors the performance-related pay arrangements for senior staff, could be extended to other cabinet members if it proved a success.

Last night, the proposal was thrown out as “unworkable” by the council’s strategic overview and scrutiny panel, which Mr Smith (Lib Dem, St John’s) had wanted to take charge of deciding whether he deserved his full allowance.

Several councillors said they supported the idea in principle but argued it would be too difficult to figure out whether he had done well or badly over the course of a year.