THE leader of the Wythall Residents and Ratepayers' Association (WRRA) has spoken out about the thorny issue of councillors' allowances.

Geoffrey Denaro wanted to reassure residents that members of his party sitting on Bromsgrove District Council would not be taking advantage of the 17.5 per cent increase in allowances being made available.

A report from the Independent Remuneration Panel recommended the basic allowance for all councillors to rise by £500 from £2,850 to £3,350 - a 17.5 per cent increase.

And at the meeting on March 7, councillors voted to accept the report but no vote was taken on the percentage of the allowance councillors would take - it would be left to the discretion of individuals.

The majority of members agreed to limit the allowance increase to 2.95 per cent increase - in line with other council staff.

And Mr Denaro said that while he could not speak for all parties, he wanted to make it clear WRRA councillors would only be drawing the 2.95 per cent.

He said: "Remarks to me have been 'see you pay yourselves 17.5 per cent more' - it's that perception I want to correct."

A Bromsgrove Council spokesman said although councillors had agreed on the Independent Remuneration Panel, it was up to the individual councillor to decide how much they took.