Council leader wins big pay rise (From Western Telegraph)

Council leader wins big pay rise

County councillors voted to give themselves an 80% pay rise last Thursday, with the council leaders pay leaping to £35,437 a year.

Last year, council leader, Maurice Hughes received £19,395. Deputy council leader, John Allen-Mirehouse, will receive £25,225 under the new rules - more than double his current £12,343.

The basic councillors allowance will rise from £5,485 to £9,907. Members of the new cabinet will each receive a total of £22,672.

Councillors will be able to claim expenses for travel and board on top of these allowances.

Councillor Michael Williams said the move was several steps too far. He said: In excess of £35,000 a year is quite ludicrous.

He asked how much the pay rise would cost over the next year. Finance officer, Mark Lewis, told members the extra cost would be £371,000. Councillor John Allen asked if this amount would come out of the councils budget or if it was extra money.

Chief executive, Bryn Parry-Jones, said the National Assembly would take account of the councils commitments when deciding how much money to include in the annual settlement.

Council leader Maurice Hughes said people did not understand the amount of work involved in running the council. He added: If some members came to County Hall more often, they would have a better idea.

Councillor Michael Williams agreed members should be reasonably compensated but said to turn being a councillor into a career was ludicrous.

He said: How will the average tax-payer benefit from this? They wont at all.

Councillor John Allen wanted to speak further on the issue but was stopped by committee chairman, John Allen-Mirehouse.

Councillor Michael Williams voted against the pay rise.