COUNCILLORS in Southampton last night voted to award inflation-busting pay rises to those with important roles.

Rejecting proposals from an independent panel for hikes of up to 225 per cent to bring Southampton City Council more in line with rates elsewhere, councillors agreed to a table of lower rises.

Instead the council leader, Cabinet members, opposition leaders and others with special responsibilities will get rises of up to 72 per cent.

The basic £10,293.40 received by all members will go up in line with the minimum wage.

After several hours of debate a narrow majority in a free vote accepted a scheme put forward by Labour finance spokesman Councillor Peter Marsh-Jenks.

Special responsibilities will now be rewarded with extra allowances of up to two times the basic.

It means the leader, Tory Councillor Alec Samuels, who abstained from voting, will see his allowance go up by 56 per cent from £13,660 to £21,240, putting him on £31,861, including his basic allowance.

Cabinet members will get an additional allowance equivalent to the basic - a 23 per cent rise from £8,574 to £10,620.

Chairmen of regulatory panels will get an additional half basic allowance - a 72 per cent rise from £3,080 to £5,310.

Opposition group leaders will get additional allowances of three-quarters the basic, while scrutiny panel chairmen will receive a quarter of the basic - both about 30 per cent more than they currently receive.

Alternative amendments were rejected, including a proposed three-year rise linked to the consumer price index rate of inflation.

Tory councillor Andrew Wells, who proposed it, said it was "fair and defendable to the public".