Local councillors have criticised a recommendation in the annual report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales that suggests that members of town and community councils should receive mandatory payments to fulfil their roles.

The matter was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of Tenby Town Council, after the town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, presented a draft annual report from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales which sets the range and maximum level of allowances payable for the financial year 2018/19.

At present, the town council has the discretion to determine annually what payments they make to members in relation to their duties as councillors, but members have been in agreement that payments included in any of the nine allowable categories listed not be authorised.

However, in the Remuneration Panel’s report, it is suggested that some of the payments be made mandatory, in order to compensate members of councils for expenses and costs involved in carrying out their duties.

The Panel has stated that mandatory payments would assist any town or community council member who has personal support needs or caring responsibilities, with a payment of £150 per year recommended.

Mr. Davies said that while the Panel’s decision would not be confirmed until February, the matter would have implications on the town council’s budget for next year, and therefore they would have no choice but to accept the proposals to make provisions as part of the budget planning.

Clr. Paul Rapi said that he believed the Panel’s approach in implementing the changes was to attract younger people to town and community councils, who may have commitments with their children.

“The majority of people who sit on local councils are the elderly and retired who can afford to do it,” he said.

“There might be younger people who would love to be a town councillor, but can’t afford to do it, so this is a way to try and attract younger members,” continued Clr. Rapi.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she personally thought that any mandatory payments would be ‘dangerous’ and would ruin the spirit of small councils.

“I cannot understand where this comes from, and it’s dangerous ground if you’re going to get people wanting to join simply because they may get paid. You either want to do it or you don’t!

“Justifiably county councillors get paid, as they do a lot more in their roles.

“Every council in the UK is trying to survive financial cutbacks, so I cannot see why this recommendation has come about now,” she added, with her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, agreeing

“This will open a can of worms. We do this role as councillors for the love of our town,” she remarked.