Rutland councillors have been urged to award themselves a hike in allowances - their first in more than ten years - in a bid to attract new blood.

An independent remuneration panel says although Rutland is recognised as England's smallest county, its number of councillors are relatively small, and they have greater responsibilities than those at many larger councils.

A report prepared for next Monday's (March 9) meeting of the full council said previous independent remuneration panels have consistently recommended increases, but councillors have declined such recommendations "with the consequences that your allowances have been frozen since 2009".

"Put bluntly", the panel reported, Rutland County Council can take the view its allowances "continue to lag considerably" behind that of other councils. Or, it can address the matter "to enable a wider demographic of people to become councillors".

Even a "sharp increase" of 31 per cent, the panel said, would only correct for price increases since 2009 and would still leave the council "lagging behind other councils."

Among the changes proposed, the councillor's basic annual allowance would from April increase from £3,770 to £4,944. This move would cost the council £133,488.

A higher range of special responsibility allowances is also proposed for councillors including the leader, deputy leader, cabinet members and panel/committee chairs.

Overall, Rutland Council estimates the changes would cost the council an extra £80,961, with the total bill for such payments increasing from £166,911 to £247,872.

An officer's report also concluded: "The Panel's recommendations go some way to addressing the issues raised and for that reason, an alternative course of action is not recommended."