CONSERVATIVE councillors have been branded “out of step” in their pursuit of possible hikes in pay allowances.

The Barnet Labour group have joined the condemnation of Tory plans, that are going in front of full council tonight, to award top councillors up to an extra £20,000 a year.

The report was only released yesterday, but followed a statement by Local Government Minister Grant Shapps who said the recent proposals, outlined by the London Council's independent panel on the remuneration of councillors, are “not justifiable” at a time when public sector workers are facing a two year pay freeze.

He said it would be “harmful for local democracy” if councillors became bankrolled staff and everybody needed to do their bit to restore the public finances.

But if the item was to be passed by a majority on the council, leader Lynne Hillan would stand to claim up to £65,000, and other colleagues could see their allowance increase by more than double.

Leader of Barnet Labour group, Councillor Alison Moore, said: "It it absolutely obscene that at a time of savage service cuts, public sector pay freezes and anticipated job losses through the easyCouncil programme that top Barnet Tories are proposing to almost double their pay.

“What's more this scheme will cost Barnet council tax-payers more money. Contrast this with our proposals - voted down by the Barnet Tories - in each of the last three years to cap councillors' allowances, which would have saved Barnet council tax-payers money.

“The Barnet Tories are even out of step on this issue with their own government - just what do these local Tories think they are doing?"