Allowances paid to elected councillors have increased – at a time when thousands of public sector workers have had their wages frozen.

Figures released by Brighton and Hove City Council reveal elected councillors cost more than £880,000 last year – an increase of £13,000 from the previous 12 months.

But elected members, some of whom worked up to 80 hours a week, claimed the total figure – which amounts to £16,338 for each of the 54 representatives – represented value for money.

Former council leader Mary Mears received the largest share, with her payment exceeding £40,000.

At least 109 council employees, including headteachers of a number of schools, earn more than this amount.

Coun Mears, who stepped down from the position after last month’s elections, said: “There’s a real balance needed as it is funded out of the public purse but we need to get people involved in local politics.

“The amount for council leader has been paid to past leaders and one that will be paid to the current leader.

“This is because the position is full-on 24/7. I was working up to 80-hour weeks for local residents.”

The majority of the total figure of £882,000 is made up through a basic allowance of up to £11,463 for every councillor.

This is designed to compensate individuals for working about 28 hours a week in their backbench roles.

Additional payments of up to £28,758 were awarded for extra responsibilities, such as cabinet posts and panel chairmen.

A council spokesman said the increase from £869,000 in 2009/10 came as the majority of councillors adopted a 1% increase.

He added slightly more people claimed special allowances in the last financial year due to differences in how the political groups shared out their responsibilities.

Labour and Co-op councillor Gill Mitchell said: “On the whole I think councillors do work hard. It’s a tough job and not something that anybody does lightly. It’s up to taxpayers to hold councillors to account when they feel they are not working hard enough.”

Last month the local authority agreed to retain the current system of allowances for the next financial year. The Independent Remuneration Panel, a body of five residents which sets the amount, will begin a review for 2012/3 in autumn.