THE leader of the council is today expected to vote for a massive 640 per cent increase in his special responsibility allowance.

Recommendations before a finance and corporate policy committee, chaired by council leader, Stanley Henig, propose that the current allowance of £680 be increased to £5,000.

Cllr Ian Barker, who currently gets no special allowance for his role as deputy leader, will get £2,500 and councillors chairing policy committees will see their allowances rise from £480 to £1,500.

The recommended changes, which include increases across the board for members of all groups, will add an extra £36,000 a year to the council's current £109,000 allowance bill.

The increases are due to come into effect from August 1.

Independent councillors have said they will vote against the proposals.

Their group leader, Cllr Patricia Heath, said: "This is outrageous when we are constantly being told that we have to tighten our belts because there is no money. The council's just cut a post at Morecambe Tourism citing lack of funds and Cllr Henig should be setting an example instead of awarding himself a gigantic increase in allowances."

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