THURROCK councillors who hold a cabinet position voted against giving themselves a £445 pay rise.

Tonight’s full council meeting saw councillors reject proposals to receive £11,275 a year, up from £10,830, to carry out their duties on top of the basic £8,670 they already receive as a councillor.

The rejection was despite a recommendation from the joint independent remuneration panel.

The report also recommended that the basic councillor allowance remain at £8,670, and that the leader, deputy leader, planning committee chair and leader of the main opposition see no change in their extra allowance.

It means council leader John Kent’s leader allowance remains at £30,346, on top of his basic allowance of £8,670 and cabinet allowance of £10,830.

In other events from tonight’s full council meeting in Grays, Labour councillor Terry Brookes was removed from his position as cabinet member for communities and public protection.

It was the second full council meeting in a row Mr Brookes wasn’t in attendance and unable to answer questions from other members over his portfolio. Mr Kent called his no-show “unacceptable”.

Councillor Jane Pothecary will take his position.