County councillors are in line for an increase in their allowances under recommendations being put forward by an independent panel.

The authority’s 81 elected members are set to be eligible for a 1.5% increase in their basic allowance, which would mean a rise to £13,000 from £12,805.

However, that increase restores the allowance to the level it was in 2009.

Councillors agreed then to a pay cut in the face of wide-ranging budget cuts needed because of the recession.

Under the new proposals, members could see the basic allowance they qualify for increase by a plan to index-link their payments in line with those of the council’s staff appraisal scheme.

This scheme involves an annual assessment of each employee based on their performance.

According to a report published today, this measure applied to the recommended increase in the basic allowance of £13,000 would have been worth an additional £564 this year.

A report suggests councillors, particularly younger ones, have indicated that one of the reasons why they have decided against standing again was the “unattractive” level of allowances.

Under the new scheme, that will apply up to 2021, the special responsibility allowance of £27,371 - paid to cabinet members - will also be uprated in line with increases based on annual appraisals of staff.

It will also be applied to the leader’s allowance which is currently £42,109.

In addition to their allowances, elected members are also offered an iPhone and a laptop computer when first elected.

The bill for allowances paid to all councillors in 2015-16 was £1,640,855 but with travel costs added came to £1,767,838.

The independent panel’s recommendations are due to be discussed by councillors next month.