TORY councillors will tonight vote on proposals for a huge pay hike which could double some allowances.

Despite the Government suggesting cuts to salaries to fall into line with public sector pay freezes, Councillor Lynne Hillan, leader of Barnet Council, could be set for a £20,000 rise.

In a report brought out just a day before tonight's full council meeting, the acting democratic services manager proposes members' allowances are reviewed to follow guidelines set out by London Councils.

The new pay structure would mean Cllr Hillan's allowance is boosted from £34,909 to £54,227 in her role as leader.

Cabinet members could more than double their allowance from £17,454.50 to as much as £41,262, while allowances for chairman of major committees could increase by more than 50 per cent.

Chairmen of sub-committees could also collect as much as £8,852 more under the proposals.

Basic allowance would rise from £9,974 to £10,597 per year.

The report, which will be heard by the full meeting of Barnet Council at Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, tonight, states council is being asked to consider whether, “for reasons of consistency and transparency” it wishes to “dispense” with the recommendations of the local independent remuneration panel and instead use London Councils' structure.

London Councils' method covers a four-year period which would bring “additional consistency and clarity and reflects the change to new style executive arrangements” which were brought in by the council earlier this year.

The report on behalf of London Councils, which recommends increases in allowances in line with local government pay awards, states “the demands made of councillors continue to increase” and pay increases would reflect specific responsibilities on elected councillors.

But the recommendations have been attacked by Local Government Minister Grant Shapps who said the proposals are “not justifiable” at a time when public sector workers are facing a two-year pay freeze.

Mr Schapps said: "We're all in this together, and those who hold public office need to lead by example.

"In an era of localism, councillors will have an increasingly important role to play in holding town halls to account on behalf of their residents. But councillors must remain arms-length volunteers. It will be harmful for local democracy if they become the bankrolled staff of the town hall dependant on the municipal pay packet.

"The new Government will let the sunlight of openness into councillor allowances to allow the press and public to hold elected officials to account more. We all need to do our bit to restore the public finances to good health and ensure taxpayers get better value for money."