Cornwall Council allowances rise to £14,600 a year

Cornwall councillors have voted to increase their allowances from £12,000 to £14,600 a year.

Forty two councillors on the Conservative-Independent controlled authority voted for the rise, 29 voted against and four abstained.

The rise is less than the £16,000 recommended by an independent panel.

Conservative Steve Double said a rise to £16,000 would have added about £500,000 on to the council's budget and was unjustifiable.