County councillors are to get an extra �1,000 in allowances

Durham County Council says the move will give potential electors a way of deciding whether councillors provide value for money.

The announcement comes ahead of an independent report, which recommends an increase in councillor's allowances.

Council chiefs believe it will increase the accountability of elected members and help people come to a "more informed opinion" on the value for money they receive from the people they vote into office.

The detailed description of councillors roles and responsibilities is being incorporated into the county's revised constitution.

Two Labour councillors have already said they will not accept the proposed �1,000 allowance increase because the timing is "insensitive".

'Enhance understanding'

The rise will take the basic councillor's allowance to almost �8,500 a year.

But Durham County Council leader Ken Manton said: "There seems to be an expectancy in some quarters that councillors should do what they do without any recompense whatsoever.

"Councillors are to local government what MPs are to central government. They are both voted into office to do a job of work and it is reasonable that they receive remuneration for doing it.

"I hope the new descriptions of their roles and responsibilities will enhance the public's understanding of what they do and help people reach a more informed view about their value to the community and the value for money they provide."

Earlier this month, Mr Manton rejected suggestions that it would be "immoral" for the authority to approve the recommended increases, after having increased Council Tax by 9.17% and having announcing plans which could result in the closure of 23 schools.