PROMINENT members of the cash-strapped Monmouthshire County Council have dramatically increased their allowances and expenses during the past year, The Beacon can exclusively reveal.

The 56 members of the authority, between them, claimed £766,860, an increase of over £42,000 on last year.

Leader of the authority, Counc Peter Fox, who is pictured right, claimed £39,311, while fellow Cabinet member Counc Bob Greenland claimed £28,784.