Labour Fat Cats

2.06.00am GMT Thu 27th Nov 2008

Peter Coley commented, "With the downturn in the economy, it doesn't make sense to increase allowances."

Labour Councillors are set to approve an increase in their allowances of 2.45 per cent At the full council meeting this evening - Only a year after agreeing rises of up to 37 per cent.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr. Peter Coley told local press; "I think we're all of the opinion that in the current economic climate, with the downturn in the economy, it doesn't make sense to increase allowances." He went on to comment on the huge increase last year labour councillors gave themselves.

Last year, backbench councillors' basic pay increased from £6,918 to £9,500. It will now go up to £9,732. The Labour council leaders allowance increased from £42,651 to £54,000 last year - and will now rise to £55,322.