Powys councillors could get a 3% pay rise

Powys county councillors could see their basic annual salary rise to £21,676 next year under new proposals published for consultation.

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru is proposing a 3% increase in the basic salary paid to councillors from April 2027, affecting the 68 elected members of Powys County Council.

It would increase the basic salary from the current £21,044 to £21,676 a year.

The proposed rise is significantly lower than the 6.4% increase introduced for the current financial year, when councillor salaries increased in line with average earnings.

The Commission, which took over responsibility for setting councillor remuneration from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in 2025, is now proposing a change in the way future increases are calculated.

Previously, councillor salaries were linked to the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.

For 2027/28, the Commission wants to use the Consumer Price Index instead, saying the change would provide a more appropriate measure of changes in the cost of living.

The move has resulted in the proposed 3% increase.

The Commission said the intention behind increases was to ensure elected members "do not bear increased costs caused by changes to the cost of living whilst they carry out their public role".

However, it acknowledged the financial pressures facing councils, saying it was "fully aware of the current constraints on public funding and the impact its decisions will have on the budgets of principal councils".

The changes would also affect councillors holding senior positions at Powys County Council, including the council leader and Cabinet members, with the role-related element of their salaries also proposed to increase by 3%.

The proposals come ahead of the next Welsh local government elections in May 2027 and will determine the salaries paid to councillors elected for the new term.

Chief Executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, Shereen Williams, said: "Choosing the appropriate index for setting councillor pay is vital to ensuring councillors are paid fairly while making sure that we are mindful of councils' budget situations.

"The Commission believes that adopting the Consumer Price Index instead of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings is a positive step, but it's really important that those affected let us know their views."

The proposals have not yet been finalised and are subject to consultation.

Residents, councillors and other interested parties have until 17 December to respond.

The draft report and consultation are available through the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru website.