Locals sought to determine councillor pay
LDRS"Conscientious" and "politically impartial" people with a strong connection to a town are being sought to help determine how much councillors are paid.
Two posts are available on independent panel which devises recommendations for the annual remuneration of representatives in Middlesbrough.
Councillors in the town, who currently receive an allowance of just over £7,600 per annum, are among the lowest paid in the country and in the autumn failed to accept a recommended increase of almost £1,400.
The positions on the panel, which are voluntary, are being advertised via the council's social media channels with a closing date of 13 February.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the advert sates volunteers will "examine and recommend" the allowances paid to councillors and co-opted members.
Those interested should have a strong connection to the town, knowledge or experience of local government and must be "politically impartial".
Council employees or those disqualified from becoming an elected member of a local authority are not eligible for the role.
The panel's recommendations need to be approved by councillors, something which has not happened on recent occasions.
A deferral in September and then a rejection in November meant members continued receiving £7,608 a year, broken down to a monthly allowance.
If a new scheme of allowances is not agreed by April, this will continue into the next financial year.
