Civic chiefs have agreed a slight increase in their allowance this year, despite being recommended a higher amount.

Winchester City Council discussed this at its full council meeting on January 18.

The Independent Remuneration Panel had recommended that the basic allowance for 2023/24 be £6,795.

However, the council decided that it should be £6,597, which is an increase of £174. This is in the backdrop the current cost of living crisis.

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Cllr Martin Tod, city council leader, said: “Members put in many hours. Serving the public can impact on work, relationships and free time.”

Cllr Jamie Scott, who represents Stanmore, said: “Some residents think we're loaded. When the public realise we have an allowance, they ask 'why do we do it?'. We do it because we're servants of our community.”

Green party member Cllr Malcolm Wallace had concerns that the allowance dissuades younger people from becoming councillors, telling the meeting that the average age is 66.

The council agreed that the allowance for 2023/24 be £6,597 per year.