The leader of Teignbridge Council could receive nearly £3,000 extra in special responsibility allowances this year if Teignbridge Council ratifies the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel. The panel has suggested that Cllr Alan Connett should be entitled to a 17 per cent raise, taking the allowance from £15,636 in 2006/07 to £18,309 in 2007/08. The deputy leader, Cllr Ray Frost, would be given £10,462. The panel's report also recommends that councillors would all receive an allowance of £5,231, compared to £5,212 last year. In travel allowances, councillors can claim 40p a mile for vehicles and receive 25p a mile for bicycles. If the council supports the panel's recommendations, £70 will be deducted from the members' basic allowance per month to pay for a resourced IT package. The panel also suggested that if all councillors decide on the computer package they should receive £30 per year to cover printing costs.
