COUNTY councillors have voted to give themselves a 40 per cent increase in their expenses.

An independent panel was appointed to decide whether councillors should receive an increase in the amount of money they are given for expenses every year.

The panel, made up of local dignitaries, recommended the basic rate for councillors' expenses should be increased from £5,000 to £7,000 a year.

Councillors with special responsibilities would also receive a similar increase, such as the leader of the labour group who will receive £10,000, and leader of the council whose expenses will be increased to £15,000.

"It is important that county councillors receive expenses for running the business of the county council," said Jacqui Cravos, chairman of Worcestershire Health Authority and member of the panel.

"We would not want to discourage people from stepping forward for office because they would be financially out of pocket."

But Conservative councillor John Smith said the increase was not appropriate for the "cash strapped authority".

"This is not the right time to do such a process," he said.

The rest of the panel comprised Professor Michael Clark, pro vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, Alan Dick, former chief executive of the Wyre Forest District Council, Stewart Gilbert, editor of the Evening News, and Richard Quallington chief executive of Community First.

At a meeting of the full council on Thursday, November 15, councillors voted to approve the panel's recommendation for the increase in expenses.

Councillors also voted to approve the panel's suggestion to increase their expenses every April 1, in line with the retail price index.

Only two councillors voted against the increase and one abstained.

A spokesman for the county council said these increases would only amount to 0.16 per cent of the county council's budget.

The raise would bring Worcestershire county councillors level with county councillors in Warwickshire who are already on £7,205.