THERE was no argument made against a recommendation to increase Pembrokeshire councillors’ salaries by almost 1.5% last week.

The slight rise in pay was proposed by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales for all local authority members and amounts to £200.

This will take councillors' basic salary from £13,400 to £13,600 for the 2018-19 financial year.

There was no suggestion to increase senior elected role allowances such as leader and cabinet members but all councillors will receive the £200 boost to their basic pay.

The leader of the council will be paid £48,300, deputy leader £33,800 and cabinet member £29,300.

Chairmen of committees will receive £21,800 (inclusive of basic salary) and vice chairman £16,300.

At full Pembrokeshire council last week, Cllr Jamie Adams asked whether the £12,000 cost of the pay increases had been budgeted for.

Director of finance Jon Haswell said it had been included in the budget based on an estimated potential rise.