EDEN district councillors have awarded themselves a rise in their allowances.

From May 5 their allowances will go up by 3.5 per cent giving each councillor a basic allowance of £3,096.

The full meeting of Eden District Council heard the rise was in line with the pay award for council staff. Allowances for people who take on special responsibilities have also been set.

For example, the chairman of the council will get an extra £515, and the chairman of the environment committee will get an extra £3,096.

May 1, 2003 13:30