Conwy councillors met to discuss their pay increase for 2025 – with a report detailing significant pay rises for the authority’s senior members.

Conwy’s democratic services committee met on Monday at Bodlondeb to discuss the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) annual report, which details the salaries councillors will likely receive in the next financial year.

The IRPW is responsible for setting councillors’ salaries at the various levels and must publish its final report by 28 February 2025.

Although councillors can give feedback on their salaries, it is the IRPW who have the final say; however, councillors can refuse a pay increase on an individual basis.

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Last time around only four councillors – Cllr Chris Cater, Cllr Harry Saville, Cllr Christopher Brockley, and Cllr Mandy Hawkins – volunteered to relinquish part of their salary.

The report shows that the leader’s salary will likely increase from £62,998 to £66,727 if the draft report is agreed.

The deputy leader’s salary will likely increase from £44,099 to £46,709 whilst executive members or cabinet members will see their salary increasing from £37,799 to £40,036.

Committee chairs, civic heads, and the leader of the largest opposition group will see an increase from £27,999 to £29,657.

A basic councillor salary will also likely increase from £18,666 to £19,771.

Back in 2021, the leader earned £49,974 and the deputy £35,320, meaning both positions have enjoyed a pay rise of £16,753 and £11,389 respectively in just four years.

Conwy increased council tax by 9.67% this year whilst cutting frontline service budgets by 10% and even schools by 5%.

Backbench councillor Paul Luckock welcomed the rise.

“I personally welcome the increase in pay. I think I work hard, and like residents locally, they have had some pay increases this year under the methodology they describe in the report,” he said.

“I know councillors tend to get squeamish about this report each time it comes, but I think I should say quite clearly most of us work very hard whatever political party and are good value for the money we receive.

“I know, having said this today, I will get some rough social media feedback, but that is what I think, and I’m always totally open about the salary I’m paid as I get challenged quite regularly about that.”

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But Cllr David Carr said the council needed to look at cutting costs, suggesting discretionary bonuses should be cut for chairs as well as the number of cabinet members.

“I think we can comfortably reduce the cabinet by about four, and that would be a good saving,” said Cllr Carr.

“That would be something the public would think would be a good thing. It is really hard out there, particularly for pensioners with the reduction of the winter fuel allowance, with council tax increases and inflation.

“We do need to say reasonably that we are listening and to be making difficult decisions ourselves.”

But committee chairman Cllr Harry Saville explained that only the leader could look at reducing the numbers of his cabinet.

Cllr Austin Roberts then proposed the committee backed the report, and this was seconded by Cllr Samantha Cotton.

The committee’s comments on the IRPW draft annual report will now be submitted as part of the consultation before the deadline of 29 November 2024.