TOWN Hall bosses have been criticised over plans to increase councillors’ allowances in Tendring by more than £50 a year.

Tendring Council approved an independent remuneration panel’s recommendation for a 1 per cent increase in councillor allowances at its annual meeting on Tuesday.

The move, which was opposed by Ukip and Labour, will see the basic allowance increase by £51 to £5,173.

The independent panel, which is made up from members of the public, has recommended an “across-the-board” 1 per cent increase from May 1.

But Mark Stephenson, leader of the council’s Ukip group, said: “The decision by the Conservatives and Independents to once again pay themselves more money beggars belief.

“I am staggered that they would show such disrespect to the residents of Tendring.

“This was the first time that Ukip and other opposition groups have come together and voted as one, which confirms our stance that paying ourselves more while cutting services is not acceptable.

"It made me truly ashamed to be a councillor.”

Labour group leader Ivan Henderson added: “The council is looking throughout this year at cuts to public services.

"I would rather see this money put into the Big Society Fund to help charities rather than being put into the pockets of councillors.”

But council leader Neil Stock said it was unhealthy to go "meddling" with the independent panel’s recommendations.

“Last year they suggested a cut to cabinet members allowances and I voted for that," he said.

“Nobody is forced to take an allowance from the council at all.

“The residents of Tendring are not going to be impressed by a political stunt that rejects an independent panel’s recommendations for an increase which between us comes to just a few pounds."

He added that the decision to cut the number of councillors to 48, which was opposed by Ukip, will save far more money.

A report said: “The panel recognises the dedication and public spirit of all councillors and their enthusiasm for the work they do and their determination that public service should come above personal gain.”

It added that the increase was consistent with the pay award for council officers on April 1.

  • The full list of candidates standing for Clacton East: Chris Amos (Con, Sally McAteer (Green), Robert Porter (Lab), Colin Sargeant (Ind), Kane Silver (Lib Dem), Mark Stephenson (Ukip). Harwich: Owen Bartholomew (Lib Dem), Ricky Callender (Con), Paul Clutterbuck (Green), Aaron Hammond (Ukip), Ivan Henderson (Lab).