CAERPHILLY council has voted to freeze the allowances paid to its councillors for a third year running.

The Plaid Cymru-led council refused to accept the recommendations proposed by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales that would have increased payments to its 73 members.

For 2011/12 the panel agreed that the maximum basic allowance should not be increased and should remain at £13,868 a year.

But Caerphilly council will continue to pay a basic responsibility allowance of £13,030 - the maximum rate set for 2008/09.

The Panel also recommends a leader’s allowance of £38,139 for 2011/12 but Caerphilly council leader councillor Allan Pritchard, who was elected to the role last Tuesday, will continue to receive a special responsibility allowance of £34,597 which was also set in 2008/09.

Cllr Pritchard, who represents the Penmaen ward, said: "We have already recognised the difficulties many residents and local businesses are facing because of the economic situation by freezing council tax. With people suffering falls in their household incomes, Plaid believes it would be wrong for councillors to accept rises.

"MPs have been rightly condemned in the expenses’ scandal but we have shown once again that not all politicians are the same. We are here because we believe in public service."