Councillors’ pay could increase

COUNCILLORS in Merthyr Tydfil are considering proposals to increase their basic pay next year which could cost the authority nearly an extra £7,000 a year.

The recommendation from the Independent Remuneration Panel Wales (IRPW) suggests a £268 increase to the basic councillor salary in 2019-20, which would be an increase of £6,968 annually for Merthyr Tydfil.

The leader, deputy leader and cabinet members would receive an £800 increase in their senior salary, which includes the basic salary increase, and is an extra cost of £4,800 a year for the council.

No more than half of a council’s membership can receive a senior salary.

The IRPW makes recommendations each year about basic and senior councillor salaries so that they can carry out their council duties.

There has been a change in funding for civic heads and deputy heads (the mayor and deputy mayor) as they are now set as £22,568 and £17,568 respectively instead of having a choice of levels of pay.

Population size is considered a major factor in influencing responsibility and so the IRPW uses three population groups to determine salaries.

As the smallest authority in Wales, Merthyr Tydfil is in Group C which means a lower senior salary for cabinet members.

The pay recommended for the council leaderis £43,300 and for the deputy leader will be £30,300.