PAY increases being considered for county councillors in the North-East would cost the authority £120,000 a year.

The Northern Echo revealed earlier this month that an independent panel was recommending that Durham County Council's 61 members receive rises of £1,000 in their basic allowance, which is currently just under £7,500.

But The Echo has learned that the report is recommending additional inflation-busting rises in special responsibility allowances paid to the leader and his cabinet colleagues, as well as other key authority players.

Leader Ken Manton could see his allowance rise by £4,000 to £26,281 while his deputy, Don Ross, is in line for a increase of £5,000, or 23 per cent, taking his allowance to £16,141.

Other cabinet members are recommended to be given a £4,500 rise, with the chairman and vice-chairman of the council's scrutiny committee being proposed a £4,500 and £3,500 pay rise respectively.

The independent panel included Durham University vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman.

But the panel's recommendations sparked angry reactions, particularly in the wake of a 9.17 per cent rise in council tax, recent care home closures and the possible closure of 23 schools as part of a £300m education shake-up.

The report will be debated at a meeting of the council next Friday.

Councillor Ken Manton has already hit back at critics, including Labour county councillors Phil Graham and Paul Tripett, who branded any rise as "immoral".

Yesterday, Coun Manton said council tax payers would be able to check specially-written "job descriptions" to help them decide whether councillors were worth their money.

"I hope the descriptions of their roles and responsibilities will enhance the public's understanding of what they do and help people reach a more informed view about their value to the community and the value for money they provide," he said.