Proposed pay rise for Ceredigion councillors “excessive”

The proposed increase in councillor pay next year is “excessive” and it will be up to those elected in May 2022 whether to accept it.

Councillor pay is set by the Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) and in its draft annual report for 2022/23 an increase of 17 per cent is proposed – taking a  basic salary to £16,800 – which is says reinstates a link to average Welsh earnings for three days work.

At a meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s democratic services committee on Friday (October 15) councillors questioned the increase and resolved that despite being unable to overturn the recommendation “we as a committee aren’t comfortable with this size of increase.”

Although the level of work expected by a councillor was reflected in the salary the committee felt it was “excessive” compared to the pay increases being offered council staff.

Chairman Cllr Ceredig Davies added that the final decision on a response to the IRPW plans be made by a cross party members’ panel.