A senior Harrow councillor has defended a proposed increase in his allowances as a cabinet member - even though he does not vote on decisions.

Conservative group deputy leader Cllr Barry Macleod-Cullinane - a 'non-executive' member of Harrow Borough Council's Independent Labour cabinet alongside Tory group leader Cllr Susan Hall - says the allowances reflect a greater workload.

He made the comments after the Independent Labour administration announced it would back calls to provide allowances for the non-executive members.

The nine-strong Independent Labour group took power after splitting from Harrow Council's Labour group in May, appointing the two senior Conservatives as non-voting cabinet members.

Cllr Macleod-Cullinane said: "Allowances were not on the table when we agreed to take these roles on.

“We did it to help steady the ship so we could better and more closely scrutinise the council's Independent Labour administration for the benefit of Harrow and its residents - whom we are elected to serve.

“Anyone who was present at June's cabinet meeting would have seen the fruits of this arrangement, where we spent the best part of two hours going through each decision with a fine-tooth comb - and we will continue to do as such.

“By contrast, two members of the Labour group asked a couple of questions, then either sat there sulking or left the meeting.

“Our roles carry with them much greater commitments in terms of time and workload, and that's what the allowances reflect.

“I would also add that I gave up an allowance I had been receiving to allow me take up this role on cabinet, so the idea that money was a motivation couldn't be any further from the truth."

A report from the legal director of legal and governance services at Harrow Council will be presented at a meeting of the full council tomorrow evening over the adjustment of allowances.