COUNCILLORS on East Lancashire's largest borough have voted themselves a 2.72 per cent pay rise.

The backdated increase in their allowances for 2022/23 is recommended an Independent Remuneration Panel was approved by Blackburn with Darwen's Council Forum.

Just four councillors voted against the rise while 10 Conservatives abstained.

Two - Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne and Ewood Tory Jon Baldwin - told Thursday night's meeting they would not accept the rise.

The rise from April 1 last year to March 31 would add £203.03 to the basic councillor's allowance of £7,464.38.

The annual extra allowance for council leader Cllr Phil Riley would rise by from the current £21,327.82 by £580.10.

His two deputies - Cllr Julie Gunn and Quesir Mahmood - would see their current additional special responsibility payment of £12,797.10 go up by £348.08.

The other five Labour members of the executive board's allowance of £7,464.38 on top of their basic payment would increase by £203.03.

Leader of the Conservative group Cllr John Slater would see his £7,464.38 extra special responsibility payment rise by £203.03.

Cllr Browne said: "I am very very disappointed. How is this going to look to the ordinary council taxpayer?

"People are going to be disgusted."

Cllr Baldwin said: "I cannot accept this pay rise."

Cllr Riley said: "This 2.72 per cent increase has been recommended by an independent panel.

Nobody is getting a King's ransom.

"This rise does not even reflect inflation at 10.2 per cent.

"It would seem to be a fair recommendation."

Wensley Fold Labour councillor Dave Harling said: "This is a recommendation from the Independent Remuneration Panel. It is nowhere near inflation."

Darwen East Labour councillor Katrina Fielding said a proper level of allowances was important in ensure less well-off residents would afford to become councillors.

The report to Thursday's meeting by panel chairman and former East Lancashire health boss Ian Woolley says: "The panel noted that, as highlighted in its last report to council in February 2022, Blackburn with Darwen paid significantly less to its members than many of its neighbours, and also of the importance of appropriate remuneration to attract potential councillors."