WREXHAM councillors are set to receive an inflation-busting 5.92% pay rise after a recommendation from the body that sets councillor pay.
Less than a month after Wrexham County Borough Council received a reduced Welsh Local Government settlement and confirmed a council tax increase of 9.5%, it has been presented with the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) final report.
The report, which was put before Wrexham’s Democratic Services Committee on Thursday, recommends an increase in the basic salary of councillors in Band B authorities across Wales – which includes Wrexham – from £18,666 to £19,771 next year. That is a 5.2% increase on 2024/25.
The rise will add £104,015 to Wrexham Council’s budget and eclipses both key measures of UK inflation. Currently the Consumer Prices Index is at 3% and the Retail Price Index is at 3.6%.
“Whilst the total cost of remuneration for elected members is relatively low in terms of overall budgets, the Panel are aware of the continuing economic and fiscal constraints on Principal Councils,” said the report.
“In reaching our decision to continue the link between elected members remuneration and the average earnings of their constituents, the Panel remain of the view that a fair and reasonable remuneration package will continue to support elected members and not act as a barrier to participation.
“The IRPW is fully aware of the current constraints on public funding and the impact of its decision will have on the budgets of Principal Authorities.”
The pay increase is replicated across senior positions, with the salary for the leader of the council rising from £62,298 to £66,727, executive board members from £37,799 to £40,036 and an increase for committee chairs and the leader of the largest opposition group from £27,999 to £29,657.
This is the final time the IRPW will set councillors’ pay. In April it will be dissolved with the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru taking over responsibility for the process.
While the level of increase is set independently councils are legally required to implement it and must pay for it through their own budget process.
Councils may not be permitted to reject the recommendations by law, however individual councillors may forego all or party of the payment.
Llay Councillos Brian Apsley expressed disbelief at the recommendation.
“I think that the increase for councillors at 5.92% is almost double inflation and I can’t understand the decision,” he said. “Why we’re not around inflation/RPI I don’t know.”
Committee chairman Cllr Malcolm King admitted that their hands were tied but made it clear that in voting to note the report, the committee was not endorsing it.
“The report is as it is,” he said. “There is not much we can do to change that.
“The recommendation to note the report is passed but I would like to stress, we are noting the contents, not supporting it.”
