NORTH Cumbrian councillors have been slammed after voting overwhelmingly in favour of what has been described as an 'unjustified' increase in their allowances of almost 20 per cent.

The decision was taken in Carlisle Civic Centre on Tuesday (November 21) at a meeting of Cumberland Council.

It means that allowances, which will be backdated to the beginning of April, will provide a £14,500 basic yearly rate for every councillor.

In addition, there will be a range of additional allowances for special responsibilities, rising to an additional £24,650 for the leader of the council, at a total cost of £968,523.

The recommendations came from the Independent Remuneration Panel whose chairwoman, Monica Law, gave a presentation ahead of councillors' debate.

Cumberland was compared with a number of similar local authorities and it was suggested that, by providing a 'reasonable allowance' to members, it would attract a range of councillors to the council, and not just those who could afford it.

The decision by the authority, which has a Labour majority, drew a swift reaction from local Conservatives.

James Bainbridge, vice-chairman of Carlisle Conservatives Association said: “Today’s increase in allowances were opposed by the Conservatives in the chamber but passed on either the agreement or tacit consent of the unholy trinity of Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party councillors. 

"Conservatives were right to vote against this unjustified and unprincipled grab for additional funds from council taxpayers.

"There is no way that in any way, shape or form the performance of Cumberland Council over this last year justifies these increases.

"This is nothing more than councillors in a council chamber choosing avarice over ability. The whole situation is pretty shameful."

Mike Johnson, leader of the Conservative Group on Cumberland, said:  “It really sticks in the craw that the Executive of Cumberland, and their comrades in the Labour Party, think they deserve a pay rise.

"It is an aggravating factor that the people they were elected to serve are contending with rises in the cost of living while they choose to line their own pockets."

David Morton, who spent 24 years in city council as the Conservative councillor for Belah, was another who reacted to the council's allowance increase, contending that its timing is 'outrageous'.

He said: "I think councillors are entitled to a reasonable allowance and expenses, but I think in the present economic climate, to say the least, it is insensitive for them to vote for an increase of the allowances of 18 per cent.

"Members of the public would quite rightly feel alarmed that they are prepared to do this."

The meeting heard from some councillors that working in the new Cumberland authority saw an higher workload than the neighbouring Westmorland & Furness council, which has 'two councillors per ward'.

Councillor Mark Fryer, the leader of the Council, giving his thoughts on the decision during the meeting, said: "It should have been sorted out before we took over. Voting for your own allowances is always a pretty uncomfortable space.

"What I don't want to do with this council is turn it into the domain of people that can afford to come here."

Cllr Fryer also said councillors should be representative of their communities and not be limited to the 'pale, male and stale' stereotype.