A LEADING Selby councillor has rankled some of her colleagues by referring to members as "us old farts."

Labour's Melanie Davis was speaking after proposals to offer councillors a pension and retirement lump sum were rejected.

Members of the council's policy and resources committee voted 7-5 to throw out the proposal, saying it would go down like a "lead balloon" with ratepayers.

The ruling Tory group votes won the day, leaving some Labour members incensed.

Coun Davis voted for an independent remuneration panel to consider pension provisions for members.

She said today: "I'm very disappointed with the decision. I believe a pension scheme would help attract more young people to become councillors.

"I want to see a cross-section of people from different backgrounds, including the unemployed and those on low incomes, not us old farts."

Under the proposed pension scheme, each councillor would contribute six per cent of his council salary towards his or her pension - with the employer contributing 18 per cent.

If the majority of councillors took up the offer, it would cost the council up to £20,000 a year.

Coun Davis said: "I'm fed up with hearing about snouts in the trough. If you want a good cross -ection of councillors, then there has to be some kind of recompense.

"I worked three days a week instead of five when I became social board chairperson. This meant that for two years my salary went down and so did my pension contributions. Other people may not be able to afford to do that.

"This decision should have been made on merit and justice, not on scoring party political points."

Coun Wally Norton (Con) today hit back, saying: "We don't think the public would appreciate paying for pensions, what with salaries and computers for members. Enough is enough.

"The comment about old farts is unfortunate, to say the least.

"I, for one, see myself as being far more useful than that."

Fellow Tory Don Bain-Mackay said: "I've been called a lot worse, I can tell you.

"The point is that pensions for members are a step too far."

Updated: 12:39 Friday, August 01, 2003