Councillors approved an increase in their allowances of more than 40 per cent on a tense return to the town hall on Wednesday.

It comes after an independent panel revealed members on Trafford Council received the least of all the authorities in the region.

The independent panel, made up of academic Declan Hall, chief financial officer of Trafford College Kal Kay and resident and ex-Royal Marine Ralph Rudden recommended an increase in their allowances of more than 40 per cent.

It takes the annual remuneration to £10,076, in comparison to the median remuneration of £11,408 in Greater Manchester, at a cost of around £200,000 per year to Trafford Council.

On a tense return to the town hall this week, leader Tom Ross moved a motion for councillors to approve the recommendations.

Cllr Ross said: "The Independent Remuneration Panel compared our scheme with other schemes in Greater Manchester.

"As a result, the Independent Remuneration Panel provided a series of recommendations to bring our scheme more in line with other schemes in Greater Manchester, which I welcome."

The Greens and the Liberal Democrats spoke in support of the increase on the basis it allows a range of residents to become councillors rather than those with the time and the money.

But Nathan Evans, who returned to the top of the Conservative Group after his reelection in Hale Barns and Timperley South, said his 10-strong group 'aren't in the role for the money'.

Cllr Evans said: "The Conservative councillors are questioning the timing of this report from the Labour Group choosing to wait until after the local elections to propose what is a huge increase in allowances. 

"One wonders if the Labour Group felt it wouldn't go down too well on the doorsteps. Did they feel a 40 per cent increase in allowances wasn't a vote winner with residents in Trafford?"

Cllr Ross responded: "In terms of Cllr Evans, welcome back Cllr Evans. I see you haven't changed much since last year. 

"In all seriousness though I think to come back to this chamber and cast aspersions about my integrity and my group's integrity is out of order and a big mistake to make so early on your return to this council. 

"I didn't receive the draft report until May 10. We didn't receive the final report until it was published for all of us to see.

"I hope you retract the insinuation I have been sat on this for weeks because frankly I haven't. I am proud to represent this borough and I just want to bring us back in line with the rest of Greater Manchester."

The motion for councillors to approve the recommendations, which also include changes to the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) paid to those in particular roles, was approved. 

Here is a list of Trafford Council's allowances.

All Councillors - £10,076
Leader of the Council - £31,236
Deputy Leader of the Council - £20,303
Executive Members - £15,618
Planning Chair - £10,933
Planning Vice-Chair - £3,280
Licensing Chair - £10,933
Licensing Vice-Chair - £3,280
Accounts and Audit Chair - £8,590
Accounts and Audit Vice-Chair - £2,577
Employment Chair - £7,809
Employment Vice-Chair - £2,343
Standards Chair - £2,343
Scrutiny Chair - £8,590
Scrutiny Vice-Chair - £2,577
Majority Opposition Leader - £10,933
Majority Opposition Deputy Leader - £3,280*
Shadow Executive Members - £2,187*
Minority Opposition Leader - £3,142**

*Only payable if the Majority Opposition has at least a quarter of the seats on the council.

**Only payable if the Minority Opposition has at least four seats on the council.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.