COUNTY councillors have voted themselves a 12.5 per cent increase in basic allowance following a review by an independent panel.
Every elected member will receive £6,750 for the year beginning September 2003. The allowance for the previous year was £6,000.
A three-member independent panel put together a report about the allowances paid to county councillors, taking into account a members' questionnaire about workload and time commitment, advice offered by the Local Government Association and allowances paid by similar shire counties.
Special responsibility allow-ances included £11,500 for the county council leader, £8,500 for the major portfolio holders, £6,750 for the chairman of the county council and £4,750 for the chairmen of four main committees.
Members can also make claims if they have caring responsibilities and for mileage travelled.
Environmentally friendly travel will also be rewarded, with a cycling allowance of 40 pence per mile.
The increase in allowances and special responsibility allowances will cost an extra £60,000 a year.
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