Councillors are wrestling with their consciences this week and deciding whether to take a four per cent rise in their allowances.

Just weeks after approving plans for an independent review of members and mayoral allowances, councillors were faced with the embarassing prospect of a significant pay increase.

The automatic rise was in accordance with the allowance system introduced two years ago which said they should be increased in line with white collar wages.

However, the rise has proved unacceptable to some leading councillors as the council looks for £1million worth of savings this year and it appears council tax bills are set to rise substantially.

Members allowances, which cost the council £324,000 last year, were also the top priority for cutbacks according to respondents to the council's own budget consultation.

Council leader, Cllr Vicky Cook, said: "I for one am not taking the increase - subject to the outcome of the independent review - and have notified the council in writing.

"However, I will leave it to individual members as to whether they accept it. "

Conservative group leader Cllr Brandon Lewis believes the allowances should be frozen or reduced due to the financial pressure the council is under.

Many councillors have indicated to the Brentwood Gazette that they are not taking up the increase in their allowance.

The new allowance system was introduced in response to Labour's national drive to modernise local government, was designed by an independent panel and was approved with cross party support.

At the moment each councillor receives a basic allowance of £6,000, before tax, with councillors receiving special allowances on top of this figure for extra responsibilities.

Published Friday, January 24, 2003

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