Leaders of Buckinghamshire County Council have opted for a freeze on their salaries and expenses. David Shakespeare, leader of the council, said 2010 would bring the toughest round of public spending rounds ever, and Buckinghamshire, which is in the lowest category for receiving government funding, would be among the hardest hit authorities in the country. ‘Mindful of the stringent economic times ahead, many councillors and our chief officers are voluntarily taking a pay freeze in the coming financial year,' he said.