COUNCILLORS have approved a pay freeze for themselves.

Cherwell District Council’s independent remuneration panel recommended that councillors' pay, known as an allowance, remains at the same level in its most recent report.

The councillors, who oversee planning matter and bin collections in Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury, signed off on the pay freeze when they met to discuss the budget on Monday night.

According to a survey carried out by the remuneration panel, which is made up of six members of the public, there was ‘not the will’ among councillors to give themselves a pay rise at the moment.

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The panel’s report said:“Whilst levels of remuneration need to reflect the time, effort and expertise required of councillors, it was evident that it was not the will of councillors to increase remuneration at this time.”

The pay for a Cherwell district councillor is reportedly relatively low compared with other councils, and the basic allowance is £4,512 a year, with senior councillors receiving more.

The council leader Barry Wood is paid £7,680, and his team of executive members are paid £6,708 each.