COUNCILLORS who cut employees wages by £50 have voted themselves pay rises of more than £40.

Wear Valley District Council increased its basic allowance for councillors from £47 a week to £86.69 following a review by an independent panel.

Leader Olive Brown's allowance almost doubles to £17,702 from £8,944 while committee chairmen will get £7,748.

The increases will cost an extra £231,000 a year and follow cuts in services and job losses at the council.

The changes were recommended by a remuneration panel of leading figures in business, education, the church and voluntary sector.

The timing of the decision has been criticised by a union acting for housing maintenance staff who, until negotiations broke down last month, were being pressed to take a wage cut so the service can compete for contracts against private companies.

John Cosgrove, regional organiser for the Union of Construction, said: "This is disgraceful for a Labour controlled council.

"They are feathering their own nests but they are not prepared to give their workforce a living wage.

"There is one law for the councillors and another for the workers."

The increases are the first agreed at Wear Valley since 1998, disregarding inflation, and leave members taking home less than colleagues in neighbouring authorities.

Coun Brown said: "There is never a good time, and it is especially unfortunate when the council has taken decisions about its workforce, but we are not masters of our own destiny.

"We have delayed this as long as we possibly could. We have not had a rise for five years.

"Members spend many hours on their council duties which are becoming more and more complex and demanding. They lose pay and pensions. I think they are worth every penny."

Liberal democrat leader Chris Foote Wood called for a nationally agreed pay scale. He said: "It is wrong that we should be put in this invidious position."

Wolsingham Independents Vere Shuttleworth and Des Wilson voted against the increases.

Councillors in the Sedgefeld District are waiting for their remuneration panel report. They currently get a basic £5,560 a year, with the council leader receiving £22,240 and cabinet members £12,510.