Councillorsto have 4%'pay' rise

The rise in the total cost of the payments to the 56 councillors was agreed without discussion.

It will see the overall bill to council tax payers of the payments go up to an estimated 416,150 in the current year to 403,020 last year.

The inflation-matching increase was backed by last week's meeting of the full council.

It was recommended by an independent panel of three members as part of the regular review of the payments.

The basic allowance which each councillor receives will rise to 4,685 (4,620). The leader of the council, Cllr Gill Brown, also receives a further 13,650 (13,200) to reflect the extra responsibilities of the role.

Some committee chairmen have also received increases in the additional sums they get, with Cllr Ash Patel receiving 5,800 (5,000) for being in charge of the licensing and enforcement committee.

Members of that committee and the development control committee have been given increases in their extra allowances as well. The respective sums are 300 (250) and 1,000 (750) to reflect the lengthy nature and importance of their meetings.