THE LEGITIMACY of Harrow Council's administration came under fire as councillors gathered to discuss key policy changes.

Tempers flared at the full council meeting last night, as the way in which the present administration was formed was put under questioning by former-leader and solitary Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Noyce.  

He said: "This is a lame duck administration, and lame duck administrations tend to get shot."  

Mr Noyce also attacked Independent Labour for claiming the throne of Harrow Council when they were not elected under that banner in the last council election.  

He said: "The difference between the Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs that were elected in 2010 is that they were elected as Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs in 2010."  

The hot topic under discussion on the night was the changes to councillor allowances.  

The plan, that sees the two non-executive Conservative additions to Harrow Council's cabinet earn an allowance of over £13,000, was approved last night as Independent Labour and Conservative members voted in unity.  

Council Leader Thaya Idaikkadar (Independent Labour) will also see an increase in his allowances should his leadership fall through as reported by the Observer before the meeting.  

The leader of the third largest party, currently Independent Labour, currently gets £2040 a year in allowances, but the move now sees that figure rise to £6630.  

David Perry, leader of the Labour Group, said at the meeting: "In the grand scheme of things, this is not a lot of money. But it is an incredible amount of money to the residents of my ward of Marlborough, and the people of Harrow."  

Mr Perry told the Observer before the meeting: "The leader of the council should be ashamed of himself. There is absolutely no reason to amend the allowance to the Leader of the third largest party at this moment in time."  

Labour leader Councillor David Perry dubbed it "money for a rainy day," at the meeting, and urged Conservative members of the council to stop their support of the Independent Labour Group's leadership for the good of the residents.  

An Independent Labour statement issued after the meeting said: "We are very pleased non-executive members of the cabinet will be compensated for the extra time they give the council. It is important people understated it is about being fair."