A Council has backed a new scheme of allowances which would see the very top councillor being paid up to £33,750 a year.

But Conservative councillors have condemned the move and say none of them will accept the increased payments.

The new system has been recommended by an independent panel after a study of the work being carried out by members of Thurrock Council

It suggested that the basic allowance for all councillors should be £7,500. The leader of the council will received £33,750, the deputy leader £26,250, and cabinet members and chairmen of committee £15,000.

The study panel consisted of the former chief executive of Brentwood Council, Colin Sivell; the general manager of Lakeside Shopping Centre, Mike Pearse; and the Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev Laurie Green.

Their report said: "It became clear a new system of allowances was needed to properly reflect the time put in by councillors on the community's behalf.

"The new scheme is based on reimbursing councillors for 40 hours work per month which translates into a basic allowance of £7,500 per annum."

The leader of the council's Conservative group, Anne Cheale (Con, Corringham and Fobbing) said: "We view this as unfavourable to members of the public.

"When budgets are tight and our council tax is going to be greatly extended it seems very wrong to me."

Mike Canavon (Lab, Ockendon) said he was tired of the opposition's posturing.

The council needed to find the best possible people to become councillors. Failure to adopt a proper allowance system would exclude some people, he said.

The council voted 24-8 (with 10 abstentions) to accept the new payments. They will come into force on February 1.

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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