Northumberland Labour says it beggars belief that the Tory-led county council is looking at creating additional paid cabinet posts.

Leader Scott Dickinson says: “What we’re being told is that the council is reviewing its allowances for councillors, cabinet members and councillors who hold additional positions of responsibility such as chairing a sub group of the council.  

“It’s fair to say this has not been reviewed for six years, but equally worrying when you discover that the cabinet has created four new assistant cabinet posts.

“I’m concerned these roles have simply been created to add additional payment rules for the Conservatives to keep the rift together at the expense of the council.

“To Labour it looks like council staff are being asked to do more and more while cabinet members delegate their responsibilities to their mates in a newly created paid posts. 

“We sincerely hope the independent panel making the final recommendations on this thoroughly scrutinises the proposals and a decision is made in the interests of the people the council services, and not Tory cabinet members themselves.”