Lib Dems will give part of rise to charity

Seven of the nine Lib Dems on Blackburn with Darwen promised to give the extra to a needy cause -- and said in an ideal world they wouldn't get paid at all.

Only two are not handing over the extra, because they rely on the cash to get by because they are living off incapacity benefit.

Last year, they were the only party to oppose a 10 per cent increase in allowances.

A report to the annual council meeting recommended that the average rise in allowances fall in line with the extra that council staff can expect in their paypackets this year.

That means each member of the council will receive a basic allowance of £5,149, up from £4,975 last year. Council leader Bill Taylor will receive an additional £17,233 on top of his basic allowance. That is up from £16,650 last year.

Executive board members will receive £6,107 in addition to their basic, up from £5,900 last year.

The main opposition leader, Conservative councillor Colin Rigby, will receive his basic allowance plus £5,486, up from £5,300.

Lib Dem leader Paul Browne's extra rises from £1,500 to £1,553.

The suggested rises have been put forward by an independent panel. The same panel caused controversy last year by suggesting an inflation-busting increase for councillors while staff had to go on strike to get 3.5 per cent.

Coun Browne said today: "Taxpayers are facing a near 10 per cent increase in council tax this year.

"We think it wrong for councillors to take extra."

Coun Charles Mills, a Lib Dem, added: "At the end of the day, we shouldn't be doing this for the money. We do this because we feel we can make a difference."

But Coun Sue Reid, a Labour councillor, said: "A national level should be set. At the end of the day, people sacrifice promotion and other career enhancements to work as councillors and that needs to be recognised."

And council leader Bill Taylor said: "If the Lib Dems feel so strongly, they shouldn't take the money."