Councillors in Bexley have voted to award themselves a “modest pay rise” following a cut in their overall numbers.

For the first time since 2009, councillors awarded themselves extra cash to compensate for their time on council matters.

Local councillors do not get a salary, instead they are given “allowances”, which varies depending on responsibility.

Councillors agreed that the time was right for a modest rise, which would actually still save taxpayers cash because of a chop in the amount of councillors during the election.

A spokesman for the council said: “Bexley councillor allowances have been frozen since June 2009. The basic allowance paid to members was actually decreased in June 2010 and was further reduced in June 2011.

“Last year we voluntarily reduced the number of Councillors from 63 to 45 and, in light of the additional workload that this will bring, we have introduced this small rise that is aligned to independently determined national pay award for staff.

“The increase also allows for the technological support that Bexley members pay for from this allowance which is unlike many other councils.”

The average councillor in Bexley is given £9,418 annually for their time, but on Wednesday night, May 23, councillors voted to give themselves an increase of just under £200, making their handout £9,606.

The money given to the Mayor was hiked up to £15,049.

Councillors with special responsibility, such as the leader, deputy leader and opposition leader, get extra money for their time – ranging from £4,344 to £26,919.