Under-fire Merton councillors have made an embarrassing u-turn on a proposal to award themselves a hefty pay rise.

Council leader David Williams has shelved controversial plans to increase cabinet members' pay by 28 per cent, the equivalent of £4,000, and the basic allowance of a councillor by £800.

With proposed cuts to social services funding, and as the borough struggles to cover a £14million budget deficit, the Conservative-led council faced severe criticism for the pay rise.

It is also thought Coun Williams could have faced a rebellion within his own party had the plans been given the green light.

Readers contacted the Wimbledon Guardian in their droves after the pay increase proposal was pushed through the council's scrutiny process, expressing their anger and dismay at the possible pay rise.

Wimbledon resident Phillip Turner said: "Councillors say the increase was to 'motivate people into becoming councillors'. What about the desire to do something for your local community as opposed to your own bank balance?"

Trish from Morden, posting on our website, added: "I work for the local council and I am dumbfounded by this latest faux pas from the Tories. We are currently undergoing cutbacks in our department (as well as others) and this will affect the service provided to residents."

At a full council meeting last Wednesday, Mr Williams withdrew the new pay package in an amendment supported by independent councillor Peter Southgate.

"I'm frustrated that we could not engage the Labour Party in a debate as to whether or not we should be looking at the pay suggested by a London Councils' independent panel," said Mr Williams.

"It's inappropriate that we're in a situation that we have to decide our own pay. The Government needs to get its head round how it sets pay for people who perform a public service but this increase is important in order to encourage a cross section of the community into becoming councillors."

Mr Southgate said: "If we had put the original proposal through, there would have been a serious risk to the reputation and equity of the council. In the end, we've acted in the best interests of Merton residents."

The amendment was carried, although Labour councillors were against a clause that will see councillors' allowances reviewed again before next year's budget.

"This is a massive climbdown for the Tories," said Labour councillor, Steve Alambritis. "I'm just disappointed that Merton residents are going to have to go through this all over again."