Ceredigion councillors have backed plans to give themselves a pay rise.

Ceredigion County Council’s full council has passed a recommendation made by the Independent Remuneration Panel to give all councillors a two per cent rise.

This brings the salary to £13,868, an increase of £200.

At full council yesterday, Cllr Bryan Davies said it was “not fair that all councillors received the same allowance but some don’t turn up to half the things they could".

He was told that nothing could be done about it, but council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said that the council register is made public and the public “can see if you are doing the work you are paid to do.”

A similar point was raised by Cllr Catrin Miles who said that the record should include reference to those that leave early.

Cabinet members in Ceredigion will be paid £27,100 and Cllr ap Gwynn said she would not respond to calls for a cut in executive members from Cllr Ceredig Davies.

“The work must be done and the people must be there to do the work. The workload of all cabinet members is high and they deserve what they are paid,” she added.

The leader’s pay will rise to £44,100 and deputy leader to £31,100.

Committee chairmen and the leader of the largest opposition group will receive £22,568, with other opposition group leaders receiving £17,568.