County councillors to get 4.76% increase in basic salary

County Councillors across Wales will get a 4.76% increase in their basic salary, according to the new determinations made by the Independent Renumeration Panel for Wales.

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales has announced its determinations for 2023 to 2024 regarding the basic salary for elected members of principal councils and the contribution to costs and expenses of members of community and town councils.

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For the financial year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, the basic salary for councillors will be aligned with 3 fifths of the all Wales 2021 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, which will be £17,600, representing a 4.76% increase.

The report also includes allowances for leaders, executive members, committee chairs, and other elected officials, meaning that Council Leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt will now get £59,400 a year and cabinet members will get £35,640.

On community and town councillors, the Panel recognised that members of these councils spend time working from home on council business, resulting in extra domestic costs and the need for office consumables.

To address this, all councils must pay their members £156 a year towards household expenses, and either £52 a year for office consumables or enable members to claim full reimbursement.

Members can decline these payments in writing, and councils must ensure that members are not prevented from accessing monies they are entitled to.

The report was subject to an 8-week consultation period, with responses supporting the Panel's determinations. No changes were made to the final determinations, but the Panel will consider areas highlighted in the consultation responses for their forward work programme.