Elmbridge councillors plan to raise their allowances by about 12 per cent, despite needing to make more than £1 million in budget cuts.

At the latest Elmbridge Borough council meeting, it was revealed that savings and budget reductions of £1.7 million were required.

A large part of this budget cutback came from ‘incremental spending pressures’ amounting to £630,000.

Yet at the same meeting the councillors agreed on proposals to increase their allowances from £4,395 to £4,942.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Chris Sadler said: “A significant element of (the cuts) results from Surrey County Council cutting back on long standing grants and incentives for this council in respect for recycling credits and services for the elderly.

“We feel there is a limit on how much more we can ask the users of our community support services such as services such as meals on wheels and meals at the various centres.”

Councillor Mary Marshall said: “An independent remuneration body came up with the formula to give a fair reasoning for the basic allowances.

“They have presented a structured formula that will provide transparency and a foundation for future IRPs (Independent Remuneration Panels).

“It puts us at a mean average with every other borough. The basic allowances for Elmbridge borough council has not changed since at least 2005.”

Together alongside other various council allowance increases, raised the cost of members’ allowances by £30,193 per year, from £317,915 to £348,108.