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

An Independent councillor on Durham County Council has said members should not have voted themselves a 13% pay rise.

The increased payment of �1,000 a year is part of a package recommended by an pay body chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, the vice-chancellor of Durham University.

Ken Manton, leader of the ruling Labour group on the council, has said the recommendations are fair and are supported by his party.

But that view is rejected by Independent councillor John Shuttleworth, who said: "I think it is very ill-timed.

Job descriptions

"We have had a council tax of 9.2%, which has been caused mainly by the government, and there is the possibility of school closures in the next few years.

"I think a further �120,000 out of the public purse is not really helpful.

"Although these are recommendations from a so-called independent panel, that is all they are - recommendations. They don't have to be accepted."

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

The increases come after a rise in council tax of 9.17%, and the announcement of plans which could result in the closure of 23 schools.

As part of the expenses rise, councillors are to be given job descriptions so tax payers can assess whether they are doing their jobs well.

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