THE leader of Trafford Council is to receive a £9,000 pay rise, following a council vote.

The move comes in the same month it emerged that a shortfall in the council's 2014/15 budget is actually closer to £7 million than the £6 million which was previously estimated.

At a full council meeting on September 17, 36 councillors voted in favour of Councillor Sean Anstee's £9,385 allowance increase, while 24 councillors voted against it.

He will now receive an overall annual allowance of £41,146, having previously received £31, 761.

This equates to an extra £180 per week and £782 a month, before tax.

This brings Trafford in line with Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils, whose leaders receive £39,517.60 and £43,384.37 per year, respectively.

The rise had been recommended by the Independent Renumeration Panel (IRP), which was called in to consider the allowances paid to the council leader, as "allowances paid in Trafford were lower than other councils in Greater Manchester and elsewhere in the country".

Cllr Anstee said he has resigned from his job at the Bank of New York (BNY Mellon) which he said will "have a considerable adverse effect" on his overall income.

The council leader told Messenger: "I believe this is the right thing to do to fully serve residents of Trafford to the best of my ability."

Cllr Anstee added: “Even with the changes to introduce new allowances, there is outlined an overall saving of over 30k to members allowances. Two labour party members will also see an allowances introduced.”  

At last week's meeting, Labour group leader, Cllr David Acton, said he could not support the IRP's decision.

"In these times of austerity when services are being cut, staff wages are being reduced, we can't agree to that kind of increase in allowances," said Cllr Acton.

"What message would that send out to our staff and the public in Trafford?"

But Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ray Bowker, said councillors' responsibilities are ever-increasing, which needs to be reflected in their allowances.

"I have to say that I'm extremely surprised that after a meeting with group leaders and the chief executive, we discussed this development and we were all of one mind," said Cllr Bowker.

"I am surprised by this U-turn."

However, Cllr Acton denied he had made a U-turn, but rather has said he would need to discuss the recommendations with his party.

"It is the wrong time to implement this change and I stand by that," Cllr Acton added.