Southend councillors' allowances for the work they do for the town are set to be frozen with only an inflation-linked increase next year.

The figures are expected to be agreed at today's full meeting of the authority having been proposed by an independent panel.

A new scheme, to be introduced next April, will link the basic allowances with the retail price index. However, council leader Howard Briggs said he would not accept some parts of the panel's report concerning councillors' expenses.

He added: "As far as the basic allowance for members, cabinet members and committee chairmen is concerned, an inflation element will be included and nothing else.

"If you have an independent panel, you largely have to accept its report whether you like it or not.

"However, I have some concerns about other proposals, which I will be raising at the meeting."

Published Thursday December 18, 2003

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