Written question WQ90047

The remuneration of councillors is determined by the independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (the Panel). The Panel is independent of both Local Government and the Welsh Government and is responsible for setting remuneration levels for members of principal councils, community and town councils, fire and rescue authorities and national park authorities in Wales.

Section 142 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 requires the Panel, when making its determinations to take into account their likely financial impact on the relevant authorities.

Each year when developing its determinations for remuneration it considers a range of information including that obtained through discussion with the bodies for which it sets remuneration levels. Before publishing its annual report the Panel must publish a draft of that report and send a copy of that report to the relevant authorities and such other persons as the Panel considers appropriate. It also engages directly with key stakeholder representative groups including the Welsh Local Government Association and its Heads of Democratic Services committee, One Voice Wales, the Society for Local Council Clerks and North and Mid Wales Association of Local Councils.

The draft annual report sets out the approach it proposes to take and seeks comments / observations on these proposals. The Panel must take into account the representations it receives about the draft. The draft annual report for 2024 / 2025 was published on 13 October 2023.

Local authorities will need to consider the costs of councillor pay as part of their budget setting alongside other cost rises from pay, inflation and demand.