An annual payment of £500 will be available to town councillors in Chippenham due to a historic decision.

The town council's strategy and resources committee voted unanimously to grant a participation allowance to cover expenses, including child minding, printing and petrol costs.

Coun June Wood said one of the strongest reasons given at the meeting was that councillors believed they should not be out of pocket.

She explained that a short, low key debate had led to the decision. She said: "There is a lot of case work involved in being a councillor and a lot of driving around and visiting people.

"Councillors will also need to print off agendas at home using their own paper and ink when they are sent electronically to their computers."

Council leader Andrew Noblet said he had become concerned for councillors with young families who may have found it hard to cover babysitting costs.

He said: "A lot of people assume we are paid anyway but we are not. I think that some of the councillors with children may have found it more difficult to come to meetings and find childcare."

Coun Noblet said most of the council members turn up to the majority of the meetings held. He said: "This money is something to compensate their time and effort and cover costs such as printing out agendas at home for instance."

It is thought that after tax the allowance will amount to around £350 and there will be no extra allowance for the leader or deputy leader.

The payments will start from April 1, 2008 and any member elected at a by-election or co-opted onto the council during the year would qualify for the allowance on a pro rata basis.

Coun Wood said: "I think the real situation here is that town councillors are doing a job that would warrant an allowance.

"We are a big council with a big budget and we have big decisions to make. My opinion is that when we have such a big responsibility then getting an allowance is reasonable.

"If we are worth it then we are worth it and if people are concerned about taking the money then they should be able to refuse it."

The participation allowance is authorised under the Local Authorities Regulations 2003. In 2003 the town council agreed in principle to award the allowance but was advised by North Wiltshire District Council's Independent Review Panel that it should not be paid for the 2004/05 year.

The town council's strategy and resources committee subsequently made no provision for the allowance for the 2005/06 and 2006/07 terms. The issue was not raised during the budget setting process in 2007/08.