COUNCILLORS in Tendring are claiming too much money in special allowances, a watchdog has ruled.

An independent panel, which helps decide how much councillors should get, suggests basic allowances be cut by 2.5 per cent, with extra pay for special duties reduced by ten per cent.

Councillors are being asked to approve a new allowance system suggested by the panel – made up of residents who are not connected to the council.

The group looked at the effects of the recession and the amounts councillors were claiming elsewhere.

Its report says: “Tendring, undoubtedly, remains at the top end of allowance payers.”

It concludes: “It would be wrong to increase allowance levels for 2010/ 2011.”

Councillors currently get a basic allowance of £5,088, with executive leader Neil Stock earning a total of more than £20,000 in special responsibility payments.

In Epping Forest district, which has the lowest allowances, the basic rate is £3,400 and the council leader claims just £7,875 in total.

The panel suggests the basic allowance should go down to £4,962 next year, with the executive leader’s earnings capped at £17,862.

It recommends councillors should also be able to claim extra to cover expenses, such as childcare, carers and mileage, when on council business.

It rejected requests for councillors on the development control committee to get an extra payment in the coming year.

The council will also create a new post of deputy executive leader, a legal requirement, under the Local Government Public Involvement in Health Act, 2007.

The report will be considered by the full council on May 4.