PAY for Ceredigion councillors will remain the same for the second year running, councillors have heard.

A report from the Independent Remuneration Panel was presented to councillors at a meeting last Thursday.

The panel decided “not to increase rem­uneration in 2016/17” in view of the continuing severe constraints on local government resources”.

The pay freeze means that the basic salary for a Ceredigion councillor will continue to be £13,300 a year.

Other salaries which will remain the same are: leader, £43,000; deputy leader, £30,000; Cabinet members, £26,000; committee chairs, £22,000; leader of opposition, £22,000; and leader of other groups on the council, £17,000.

The panel report said it “remains firmly of the view that maintaining the democratic values of local governance cannot be cost-free”.

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