EXPENSES for Lancaster City Council's leader could be slashed by £2,000 under new recommendations by an independent panel.

Councillors were considering a proposal to cut the cabinet leader's special expenses from £10,000 to £8,000 as part of an annual review by the independent Members' Remuneration Panel at yesterday' s full council meeting.

A report by the panel's chairman, Prof Alan Mercer, said: "The panel considers the current leader's allowance as slightly too high and was a carry over from the previous organisational arrangements."

Cabinet members can look forward to a rise in their 'special responsibility allowance' from £3,500 to £4,000 while review board and planning chairmen were also set to be given rises.

Members' basic allowances are set to remain at £ 2,700.

Councillors were also expected to snub a request from the panel to end allowances for group leaders and administrators.

The report adds: "The panel is still very firmly of the view that no SRA should be paid for political appointments."

The council was due to vote on expense levels last night.

It is legally obliged to take into account the recommendations of the independent panel.

Councillors received a total of £224,600 in the last 12 months.

If the panel's proposals are accepted, this will increase by £ 9,700.