Norwich city councillors deserve to receive a little more money for their public service, according to an independent panel which has looked into their allowances.

The independent panel has recommended a number of increases in annual allowances, intended to recognise the time commitment of councillors in helping constituents and attending meetings.

The recommendations, if agreed, would see the annual basic allowance, which all councillors are entitled to, increased by £62 from £6,193 to £6,255.

The leader of the council, would see their special responsibility allowance go up from £10,322 to £10,425.

Cabinet members and the leader of the major minority party, would see their special responsibility allowance go up from £5,161 to £5,213.

There would also be increases for chairs of audit, licensing, planning and scrutiny committees, from £2,581 to £2,607.

Other members of audit, licensing, planning and scrutiny committees would also see a slight increase, from £1,548 to £1,563,

If agreed, when the full council meets in January, the increases would come in from April next year.

They would then increase at the start of April each year up until March 2021, index-linked to increases awarded to council staff by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.

Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: 'We want as wide a group of people to consider becoming councillors as possible and, to enable them to do that there needs to be some measure of support.'

• Do you think councillors are worth it? Write, giving full contact details to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk