SURREY County Council leader David Hodge has backtracked on a decision to award himself a pay rise of up to 60 per cent. The council's cabinet provoked much public anger after deciding to award members more than £60,000 on top of a £200,000 total rise recommended by an independent panel. It saw some councillors receive payments of more than £10,000 on top of their existing allowances, including Mr Hodge, who recommended a £15,990 rise for himself. The Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), which was set up to review allowances for county council members, resigned in the wake of the cabinet's decision. For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.