Pay rise vote for new Northumberland council leaders

Council leader Jeff Reid will see his basic package rise from £19,032 to £27,000 for 2009/10, provided he remains in the post. The senior positions pay out this allowance on top of the basic pay, expected to rise to more than £12,000.

The council has justified the changes by insisting the current fees paid out to members are far below that of neighbouring authorities.

Finance chiefs at the new super council revealed budget plans earlier this week which show a need for 20% savings cuts, up to 800 jobs losses and a tax rise of 4.8%.

An Independent Remuneration Panel suggested the new pay rates, to be agreed by councillors next week, by taking county council current allowances and adding the average amount paid at Northumberland's district councils.

The deputy leader, cabinet members and chairs of various committees as well as opposition group leaders will all be in line for a pay rise, with nearly £3,000 extra each from April.

Hexham Conservative MP Peter Atkinson said: "They as a council face serious debts, large cuts and may have to introduce a council tax rise of 4.8%. This is hardly the time to bring in a big increase in councillors' pay."

Council Conservative group leader Peter Jackson said many backbench members would face a much greater work load.

He added: "I think there may well be an argument to question some of the more senior pay rises, but for the backbench councillors they genuinely will be working much harder."