Swindonians have given their councillors a huge vote of support. This week the Evening Advertiser reported that members had accepted a 15 per cent rise in expenses and allowances.

In a telephone poll readers were asked whether their elected representatives were worth it.

And the result was that an amazing 99 per cent think they are.

Only one per cent of callers felt councillors were out of order for taking the extra cash.

On hearing the result, Council leader Mike Bawden said he was "flabbergasted".

"It's absolutely staggering," said Coun Bawden, who admitted he had expected readers to give councillors a hard time for accepting the extra financial support.

"The people of Swindon have acknowledged the work that councillors do on their behalf and they are indicating they are behind our drive to sort out the problems of Swindon.

"It's a fantastic vote of confidence from the people of Swindon. But I would have put money on the opposite result."

The package of allowances and expenses that came in this week was initially voted for back in April 2003.

It is the second phase of a three-part process to raise expenses and allowances to the levels recommended by an independent remuneration panel.

Coun Bawden said the rises had been voted through with all-party support.

"The Government requires us to have an independent remuneration panel, and the allowance and expense rises were voted through on their recommendation," he said.

"This Government ought to be setting rates of remuneration of councillors nationally, based on the type of local authority, so there is consistency across the country.

"Swindon's allowances should be the same as a similar authority's 50 miles down the road."

Compared to members of other unitary authorities, Swindon councillors get a bad deal.

The basic annual allowance for backbench councillors in Swindon is £6,200. In Bracknell they receive £7,000, while in South Gloucestershire they get £9,240.

Coun Bawden can claim a total of £17,600 for representing Old Town and Lawn and leading Swindon Council. But that is small change compared to the leader of Milton Keynes council, who takes more than £32,000.

Row over deputy mayor

The appointment of Peter Stoddart as mayor of Swindon was coupled with a political row about his deputy.

Yesterday, in the first full council meeting since this month's elections, the Tories flexed their new muscle and pushed through their nomination for deputy mayor.

Ray Fisher (Con, St Margaret) was eventually confirmed deputy, but only after a rival nomination by Labour and the Lib Dems was defeated by the Tories.

Opposition parties accused the Conservatives of breaking a gentleman's agreement to rotate the role of Swindon Mayor between parties.

Before the elections, Labour councillor Teresa Page was preparing to take over the role of deputy mayor which would have seen her become mayor the following year.

But on June 10 she lost her St Philip seat and the Conservatives chose to fill the post with one of their own.

Labour leader David Nash said: "The fact that our name unfortunately lost her seat is irrelevant it was allocated to our group.

"Teresa Page would have flourished in the role and it is a snub to her good work that the Tories are not honouring their agreement."

But Council leader Mike Bawden said: "Since 1974 there have been 21 Labour mayors and eight Conservative mayors.

"We took the view that this was an opportunity to redress the balance."

Andy Tate