The next mayor of Wisbech can expect a 16 per cent increase in his allowance if councillors agree the new deal on Monday.

The town council will be asked to approve the £500 a year rise to take the mayoral allowance to £3,600.

An agenda item for Monday’s meeting asks members “to consider that the mayoral allowance be increased by £500 to take into account increased travelling expenses”.

The council will also be asked to “consider” providing the deputy mayor with a car allowance of 45p per mile for journeys beyond a seven mile radius of the town.

Acting town clerk Susanah Farmer said the allowance for the town mayor had last been increased in 2011.

Councillors will also hear a report from Monday’s staffing and policy committee which considered her report for extra help.

The council has been without a full time town clerk since last January when Erbie Murat was suspended and later sacked for gross misconduct. Although Mr Murat has exhausted the council’s own internal disciplinary procedures, he still has an option to fight for re-instatement at an employment tribunal.

The staffing committee heard that a locum who had been approached for the job is experienced in local government “and has a good knowledge of Wisbech”.

The committee agreed he should be offered a short-term, temporary contract for up to 10 hours a week on a pro rate annual salary of £30,311.

“The contract would be for an initial three months with an option to renew by agreement,” says a report to councillors.