A pair of Three Rivers district councillors have stepped down from unpaid roles on the board of Thrive Homes to return as paid members.

Liberal Democrat councillors Pam Haines and Sarah Nelmes both quit their positions after a rule change allowed board members to be paid approximately £5,000 per year.

Outside interest rules mean council nominees cannot accept any payment for a role in which they represent the council but co-optees are eligible.

Councillor Nelmes, who represents Penn ward in Mill End, called for all board members to be paid.

She said: "There is an allowance paid but it is not as much as full board members, the Thrive rules permit it.

"We are aware that some council nominees in other areas do receive money and that is certainly something that should be debated here."

Chairman of the board at Thrive Homes Richard Laval, who was a district councillor in Primrose Hill and Bedmond until 2011, is also understood to have quit his council-appointed position.

Conservative councillor Ty Harris and Labour group leader Stephen King will both remain on the board as unpaid council representatives.

A statement from chief executive Elspeth Mackenzie said: "Thrive Homes has agreed to pay its board in recognition of an overall reduction in the number of members on the board, and the increased level of responsibility carried by board members. .

"TRDC nominees to Thrive Homes’ board cannot accept payment due to the rules governing the outside interests of serving councillors."