TAXPAYERS in a Teesside borough will pay more than £440,000 for their councillors' allowances in 2004 to 2005.

Cabinet members of Stockton Borough Council have voted to keep the same allowances scheme as the current financial year.

That means the basic allowance for each of the borough's 55 councillors will remain at £5,470.61 per annum.

However, councillors with special responsibilities will receive extra money. Council leader Bob Gibson will receive £13,500 and the deputy leader, David Coleman, £7,850. The eight cabinet members each receive an extra £6,750, the nine chairmen of scrutiny and best value committees £3,800 and their vice-chairs £1,900. The leaders of three opposition groups, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Thornaby Independents, each receive £3,800.

Not included in the £440,000 figure is the £17,500 received by the mayor and the £5,500 for the deputy mayor. Other expenses for travel, child care, meals and overnight stays are also not included.

Councillors in Redcar and Cleveland receive £8,150 basic, the highest on Teesside, and Middlesbrough councillors receive £5,470 basic.