MEMBERS' allowances on West Devon Borough Council are set to increase, following an extraordinary meeting at the end of March.

Members met to consider a report concerning a new scheme of members' allowances for the 2015/16 municipal year on March 31 and heard of findings from a newly appointed panel.

The council had appointed an independent remuneration panel in February to make recommendations in relation to its scheme of members' allowances. Following the panel's inaugural meeting on March 23, the panel recognised that the basic allowance needed to be increased substantially in order to be comparable with a number of neighbouring councils.

The panel heard views from members who considered a significant increase was appropriate and also listened to arguments made in relation to the adverse public perception and potential impact on staff morale that an increase could generate.

The panel concluded by recommending the basic allowance be increased from £4,133.40 to £4,200, which was agreed by members at the extraordinary meeting.

A borough spokesman said: 'In reaching its conclusions, the panel did recognise the budgetary implications arising from its recommendations, particularly in what is a difficult economic climate for local government.

'However, the panel highlighted that the consequent total cost of the scheme would still be very low in comparison to the vast majority of other local authorities.'

Councillors with special responsibility have larger allowances, for example, the leader of the council, who is also chairman of the 'hub committee', would now receive £12,600 (basic allowance plus 200%). The deputy leader and vice chairman of the hub committee will receive £10,500 (basic allowance plus 150%) and hub committee members £8,400 (basic allowance plus 100%).

Chairman of the audit committee will receive £7,980 (basic allowance plus 90%), chairman of planning and licensing, £9,240 (basic allowance plus 120%) and chairman of overview and scrutiny (x2), £7,980 (basic allowance plus 90%).

As part of a recommendation to increase the basic allowance, members also agreed that in future years any increase in the basic allowances would be aligned to the staff pay award. An amendment that hub committee members would receive 33% of the basic allowance was also agreed.

A second recommen-dation that members should be entitled to claim their mileage for attendance at town and parish council meetings within their local ward, of which they are not already a member, was agreed but it was stipulated that it must be within the West Devon Borough Council area.