DARLINGTON mayor's annual allowance is to be reviewed for the first time in more than a decade.

The town mayor's allowance has not increased since a review in the midNineties except for annual increases in line with inflation.

However, at the first full council meeting of the new municipal year, members will consider a review of the allowance by the council's independent remuneration panel.

It will also suggest a new member to be appointed to the independent panel. Paul McGee, director of Know How North-East Limited and a member of Stockton's allowances panel, has been identified as a suitable candidate.

The report anticipated the panel will meet in September.

It stated: "It is necessary to reconvene the panel to review the application of the index and also take the opportunity to ask it to review the current level of allowances; make recommendations as to whether any further allowances should be payable; and whether any adjustment should be made to the allowances in the current financial climate."