DEVIZES town councillors have ruled out receiving more allowances.

Councillors were told that under new Government legislation town and parish councils now have the power to pay a basic allowance to all members.

But, on November 18, members on the town council's community and civic resources committee unanimously ruled out paying themselves a basic allowance.

Town councillors also rejected

introducing an allowance to pay for members travelling to town council meetings or other town council duties in the town. They do want to continue paying allowances to themselves when they travel outside the town on council business but because of the change in the law a remuneration panel at

Kennet District Council will have to decide on the level of that allowance.

The cost of the panel meeting would have to be met by the town council

although if parish councils want to

introduce allowances the cost would be shared between councils.

Devizes Town Council decided to wait to find out how much it would cost for the panel to meet before continuing paying allowances for councillors to travel for duties outside the town.

The mayor's allowance is unaffected by the new legislation.