AT LEAST a third of eligible Newport councillors are set to take 'golden goodbye' pay-offs of up to £20,000 to stand down at the next election.

The controversial Assembly government scheme aimed at clearing out older councillors will change the face of Newport council and could cost taxpayers up to £280,000, paid via the Assembly.

Yesterday was the deadline for Newport and Torfaen councillors with over 16 years of service to tell their councils whether they plan to stand at next year's elections.

Of the 24 Newport councillors eligible for the golden goodbye, eight said they would take the cash, but ten said they would stay. The rest declined to comment or were unobtainable.

In Torfaen, six councillors have registered for the scheme.

A council spokesman said: "Six councillors have put their name forward to the acting chief executive. In our opinion it is a personal matter so we are contacting each councillor concerned to see if they are prepared to have their name made public."

Newport councillor John Jenkins, 64, cabinet member for employment, who has served for 25 years, confirmed he would be accepting the pay-out.

He added: "I made my mind up long ago to stand down. I want to retire and spend time with my family. People don't realise how demanding council work is."

The long service award pays out £1,000 per year of service for those with over 16 years as a councillor, up to a maximum of £20,000.

The scheme aims to reward councillors and bring in younger candidates, but has outraged many voters and was rejected by Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly.

* Newport councillors who have confirmed they will take the payment are: Ron Morris, Joan Jepps, John Jenkins, John Marsh, Fred Sweeting, John Marks, Garry Brown and Harry Herbert.

Newport cabinet members Graham Dally and George Bucklow declined to confirm whether they would be stepping down.

Council leader Sir Harry Jones and councillors Jim Kirkwood, Alan Perry and John Pembridge were unavailable for comment.

Newport councillors eligible for the award but not standing down are Leslie Knight, Ken Critchley, Ron Jones, Bob Bright, Bob Poole, Paul Cockeram, Miqdad Al-Nuami, Ken Powell, Ray Truman and Harry Williams.