A proposed 17 per cent increase in councillors' pay next year has been described by Ceredigion County Council’s democratic services committee as “excessive” – and it will be up to those elected in May 2022 whether to accept it.

Councillors' pay is set by the Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) and in its draft annual report for 2022/23 the proposed increase takes a basic salary to £16,800 – which it says reinstates a link to average Welsh earnings for three days' work.

Meanwhile most Welsh council workers have been offered a pay rise of just 1.75 per cent, significantly below the rate of inflation, with the lowest paid grade being increased by 2.75 per cent.

At a meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s democratic services committee on Friday (October 15) councillors questioned the increase and resolved that despite being unable to overturn the recommendation “we as a committee aren’t comfortable with this size of increase.”

Although the level of work expected by a councillor was said to be reflected in the salary, the committee added that it felt it was “excessive” compared to the pay increases being offered to its council staff.

Chairman Cllr Ceredig Davies added that the final decision on a response to the IRPW plans be made by a cross party members’ panel.

Earlier this month Ceredigion County Council staff reacted furiously after learning their chief executive is to be awarded a pay rise of 14 per cent.

Councillors approved plans to give chief executive Eifion Evans a £15k pay rise – bringing his annual pay to £130,000 – with just three members voting against the plans.

Alison Boshier, UNISON branch secretary said: “Ceredigion council staff were stunned to read about the chief exec’s bumper pay day.

“A 14 per cent pay rise is so offensive when you consider care workers, school support staff, refuse collectors and many others who kept vital services going throughout the pandemic, have been offered a real-terms pay cut.

“The chief executive has been completely insulated against the new National Insurance tax and energy price rises that the rest of us face.

“Only a handful of councillors opposed the chief executive’s pay increase and the other local politicians must reflect on whether they are promoting fairness in Ceredigion.

“The chief executive would do well to follow his predecessor’s example. She showed a unity with the workforce by turning down past increases because she didn’t want her pay to be so far above the pay levels of her staff.

“No doubt this will be foremost in mind as UNISON members consider what steps they take about their own pay offer.”

Former chief executive of the council, Bronwen Morgan, who stood down in 2017, had continually turned down pay increases.