Councillors have approved proposals that will see them receive a £150 pay rise.

Ceredigion County Council has backed recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) – which advices all local authorities in Wales – that a £150 increase be put on all salaries.

This includes the basic councillor pay, senior salaries for leader, deputy leaders and cabinet member as well as committee chairs and leader of the opposition.

The increase was approved at full council today.

Opposition leader Cllr Ceredig Davies said that as chairman of democratic services the reports were discussed every year and the increase was designed to allow “all individuals across the country to have the opportunity to stand as councillors”.

He added that times were hard given the Covid situation and he was “sure the headline” will be that “councillors vote for a pay rise” but it was a case of having to accept the IRP recommendations.

Cabinet member for legal and governance, people and organisation and democratic services Cllr Ray Quant present the recommendations which would see the basic councillor salary set at £14,368 for 2021/2022.

The leader will receive £44,921, deputy leader £31,783, Cabinet members get £27,741, chairmen get £23,161 a year and leader of the opposition £23,161.

There are also civic salaries for the chairman and vice-chairman of the council, set at £23,161 and £18,108 respectively.