COUNCILLORS in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire look set for a pay rise following the latest recommendation from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

For the third year in a row the panel has said the basic salary for councillors should be increased – this year by nearly two per cent or £268.

The basic salary is recommended to be set at £13,868 for 2019/20.

The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council will get £49,100 a year if the recommendation is approved and Ceredigion County Council’s leader £44,100.

That’s an increase of £800.

Deputy leaders at both council’s could receive up to £34,600 and £31,100 respectively.

The difference in pay is linked to the categorisation of Pembrokeshire as a group B authority and Ceredigion a group C, based on population.

Committee chairs would receive £22,568 under the draft plan with the leader of the largest opposition groups allocated £22,568 and leaders of other political groups £17,568.

A civic head such as the council chairman would receive a band three salary of £22,568, the panel states.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park members may also see a 1.97 per cent increase with the panel suggesting the ordinary salary increase to £3,735.

The senior salary of the chairman of a National Park Authority shall be £12,435, the panel states.