A VOTE for an increase in councillor's special responsibility allowance created uproar among some members who voted against the rise.

At last week's full council meeting, increases for the leader of the council, deputy leader, cabinet members and committee chairs and some vice-chairs were approved seeing an average increase of almost 40 percent, and, in some cases, increases in the order of 400 percent. The total amount of the increases in senior councillor pay is £50,000.

Special Responsibility allowances are paid to members of the council who hold positions of authority within in the council.

Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, whose group voted against the increases, argued that the "Vast increases for special responsibility allowances during this time of acute economic hardship should not go-ahead. This is time to show restraint, to tighten our belts and share the pain that people out there are experiencing right now. In my ward I have constituents who work at Corus Llanwern who are facing a prolong Christmas shutdown and there is real apprehension about the future of their jobs. Vast increases now would be totally inappropriate."

In the report it states the leader, councillor Fox will receive an increase from £22,309 to £27,679 – a 24 per cent increase. Councillor Bob Greenland, will see his allowances as deputy leader increase from £12,270 to £15,222, another 24 per cent increase.

Members of the cabinet will see their special allowances increase from £11,155 to £13,839 – a 24 per cent increase.

Leader of the Labour Group, councillor Ron Higginson will see an increase from £6,692 to £8,304 -a 24 percent increase. Chairs of select committees will see their special allowances increased by 48 percent to £8,304 from the existing £5,577.

Planning committee chair, councillor Peter Clarke will see his allowance increase by 49 percent from £5,577 to £8,105, whilst Planning Committee Vice-Chair, John Major (Con, Magor & Undy Mill) rising a huge 98 per cent increase from £2,789 to £5,534.

Licensing Committee Chair, Jimmy Harris (Magor and Undy The Elms) sees an increase of 66 per cent from £5,018 to £8,304, whilst vice-chair of the committee Anne Webb (Con, St. Arvan's & Tintern) sees the biggest increase of special allowances in the order of 396 per cent rising to £4,419 from the previous £1,115.

"During the debate it emerged that the council did not yet have the money for the increases in its budget and that savings would have to be found to pay for the new level of senior councillors' pay," said councillor Hobson.

Monmouthshire's increase in allowances for senior councillors is the second only in Wales this year, with the Vale of Glamorgan passing similar increases in October.

Other councils in Gwent are expected to decide on their special allowances during December.