SWINDON Councillors called for more understanding from the public and the media as they increased their allowances by 43 per cent.

The increase in members' expenses was based on the recommendation of an independent remuneration panel.

It will increase the allowance paid to ordinary councillors from £3,623 to £5,300 a year and give council leader Kevin Small a rise from £10,000 to £15,100.

Before being agreed by all three parties at last night's Cabinet meeting, councillors discussed the negative publicity the proposed rise has caused.

Councillor Jim D'Avila (Lab, Moredon) said: "If these knocks continue and the media are irresponsible about the issues it will discourage people from coming on the council.

"I would appeal for the people of Swindon and the media to take a more moderate approach."

Chairman of the remuneration panel, Professor Jim James, said the increase came from looking at other local authorities.

He said: "We interviewed some of the councillors and what was highlighted was the increased workload in recent years.

"What also struck us was the altruism and public service.

"Councillors give 57 per cent of their time free based on the national average wage."

Coun Small (Labour, Western) said: "There's no right time to put up allowances. This should have been done many years ago and that's why Swindon Borough Council has fallen well behind elsewhere."

He pointed out that Milton Keynes pays councillors £5,500 and South Gloucestershire £6,000.

He said: "It's not going to be popular, we will face a barrage of abuse but this is not a political issue.

"People have got to look at the facts. We are responsible for delivering services to 180,000 people and are in charge of a £180 million budget."

Liberal Democrat group leader Mike Evemy (Eastcott), said: "£5,300 is not a lot of money for the amount of hours people are putting in.

"There's been a lot of criticism of the council and criticism of members as well.

"When members have got financial constraints and can't take time off work to go to meetings, is that what local democracy should be about?"

Coun Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick) said: "Forty per cent of very little is still not very much.

"If we are to attract quality councillors we must remunerate them in a way that they can afford to the job."

The changes will increase the bill for councillor expenses from £303,000 to £443,600.