As council leader Chris Holley is currently entitled to �36,812

It would result in savings of close to �100,000 a year which council leader Chris Holley said would be used to tackle litter in the city.

The new ruling coalition is putting forward a proposal to trim allowances for senior members by 20%.

Councillors in Wales set their own allowances within National assembly guidelines which depend on the size of population and responsibilities.

Councillors in Swansea get a basic allowance of �10,200.

Cabinet members, some party leaders and the chairs of committees receive special responsibility allowances (SLAs) on top of that.

There are 30 posts which attract SLAs.

If the plan is backed by a meeting of the full council later this month, Mr Holley as leader would see the amount he is allowed to claim cut by more than �7,000 from �36,812.

Current Allowances in Swansea Leader �36,812 Deputy leader �20,247 (8) Cabinet members �18,406 Presiding officer �11,043 Deputy presiding officer �7,362 (12) Cabinet/Review chairs �11,043 (4) Review vice-chairs �7,362 (2) Planning chairs �11,043 (2) Planning vice-chairs �7,362 Licensing chair �11,043 Licensing vice-chair �7,362 Main opposition leader �11,043 Second opposition leader �7,362

Mr Holley, a Liberal Democrat, said: "These proposed reductions would result in significant savings for the council.

"I can't see anyone voting against it."

He said as part of his party's election manifesto it had pledged to introduce more 'clean teams' to Swansea to tackle litter and generally clean-up the city.

"We are hoping to put the money saved back into that," he added.

"We felt some of the allowances were inappropriate to the jobs they were being given for.

"We feel this is one of the ways we can address it.

"It will be introduced as soon as practicable.

"I can see other councils in Wales following us."

Mr Holley heads a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Independents, Conservatives and a People's Representative in running the authority.

They took charge following June's elections when Labour lost control in Swansea for the first time in 24 years.

According to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) there are four different scales for council allowances depending on the size of authority.

The leader of a council with a population of more than 300,000, such as Cardiff, could receive a maximum of �43,913.

At a council serving 200,000 to 300,000 people such as Swansea it would be �37,640.

For a population of 100,000 to 200,000 it is �31,368 and for under 100,000 it is �25,095.

A WLGA spokesman said: "Essentially the allowances, introduced in 2001 reflect the demands, time commitments and increased responsibilities due to the executive structure of modern local government.