TOWN councillors have declared that they will not be taking payments for their duties.

Members of Shildon Town Council have agreed that they will not be looking for cash to attend meetings and other duties despite voting at a previous meeting to join a panel that would look at the issue of pay.

At a meeting on Monday night, Coun John Smith said that councillors wanted to make it clear that they did not wish to be paid.

He said: "All the members of the town council believe it to be proper not to take on payments and will not be doing so under the present local government arrangements.''

The declaration comes after members voted in July this year to join a remuneration panel set up by Sedgefield Borough Council to look at the issue of pay for councillors.

To join the panel the Town Council has to pay a contribution to the £1,200 costs involved.

A decision to take payments could have caused an outcry in the town where residents complain about paying one of the highest rates in the country.

Town and Parish councils are entitled to join the remuneration scheme under the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) regulations 2003.