SENIOR York councillors are set to turn down proposals which would give them a hefty increase in their special responsibility allowances.

Under recommendations put forward by an independent review panel, the leader of the council's allowance would rise from £29,261 to £37,974, and the deputy's from £22,344 to £28,564.

But leading members of all three political parties are set to reject the proposals and vote through a freeze on the allowance.

Council leader Dave Merrett said: "We recognise that the original recommendations of the independent panel, if pursued, would have brought York's allowances way out of line with other authorities.

"It would also have been seen as unreasonable by most residents. The proposal to freeze our allowance is more than reasonable.

"Given the current constraints on the budget it seems the sensible thing to do."

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Steve Galloway, whose allowance would have risen from £22,280 to £28,478, said: "There's a clear feeling from residents that they favour economy in the running of the council and we accept that."

It is recommended that the basic allowance, paid to all councillors to recognise their time commitment, is increased from £5,043 to £5,862.

The council's remuneration panel said it was more than two years since it was set at its current level and was out of line compared with nearly all similar authorities.

The matter will be discussed at a full council meeting next Thursday.

Updated: 11:25 Friday, January 24, 2003