Our councillors will no doubt argue that they are value for money.

But questions are bound to be asked about the increasing level of allowances and expenses they are claiming.

The amount of money paid to Oxford city councillors last year rose by 20 per cent, from £200,000 to £240,000.

The increase for county councillors was about 10 per cent, from £744,000 to £818,000.

Critics will be quick to point out that both figures are well above inflation.

We can interpret them in two ways - our councillors are working harder, or there is a certain lack of control over administrative costs.

The increases do not sit happily alongside recent news that council taxpayers in Oxford can expect a rise of £55 in their bills from next April, and that senior county council staff are in line for increases in their £100,000-plus salaries.

It is little wonder that pensioners and other struggling groups hit out when they see councillors and council officers adding to their incomes.

It is true that if we had full-time councillors, we could expect much higher bills to sustain them.

But we still have the long-established rule in this country that our masters are part-time and voluntary.

They shouldn't, of course, be out of pocket and should be reiimbursed for legitimate expenses they incur.

But why have we seen such large increases in the amounts claimed? The paying public deserves answers.