Council Information

Members Schedule of Remuneration 2024-25

This Scheme is made under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 with regard to Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Regulations which apply to payments made to members and co-opted members of local authorities. 

Basic Salary

1. Basic Salary shall be paid to each elected Member of the Authority.
2. In accordance with the Regulations, the rate of the Basic Salary shall be reviewed annually as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
3. Where the term of office of a Member begins or ends other than at the beginning or end of a year, their entitlement to the Basic Salary will be pro-rata.
4. No more than one Basic Salary is payable to a Member of the Authority.

Senior Salaries & Civic Salaries

1. Members occupying specific posts shall be paid a Senior Salary as set out in Schedule 1.
2. In accordance with the Regulations, the rates of Senior Salaries and Civic Salaries shall be reviewed annually as determined by the Annual or Supplementary Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
3. Only one Senior Salary or Civic Salary is payable to a Member of the Authority. 
4. A Member of the Authority cannot be paid a Senior Salary and a Civic Salary.
5. All Senior and Civic Salaries are paid inclusive of Basic Salary.
6. A Senior Salary may not be paid to more than the number of members specified by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in its Annual Report and cannot exceed fifty percent of the total membership of the authority, except to include a temporary Senior Salary office holder providing temporary cover for the family absence of the appointed office holder.
7. A Member of the Authority in receipt of a Senior Salary cannot receive a salary from any National Park Authority (NPA) or Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) for which they have been nominated.
8. Where the term of Senior Salary or Civic Salary of a Member begins or ends other than at the beginning or end of a year, their entitlement to the Salary will be pro-rata.

Election to Forgo Entitlement to Allowance

1. A Member may, by notice in writing delivered to the Proper Officer of the authority, personally elect to forgo any part of their entitlement to any salary, allowance or fee payable under this Scheme from the date set out in the notice.

Suspension of a Member

1. Where a Member of the Authority is suspended or partially suspended from their responsibilities or duties as a Member of the Authority in accordance with Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 (Conduct of Members), or regulations made under the Act, the part of the Basic Salary payable to them  in respect of that period for which they are suspended will be withheld by the Authority (Section 155 (1) of the Measure).
2. Where a Member in receipt of a Senior Salary is suspended or partially suspended from being a Member of the Authority in accordance with Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 (Conduct of Members), or regulations made under the Act, the Authority must not make payments of the Member’s Senior Salary for the duration of the suspension (Section 155 (1) of the Measure). If the partial suspension relates only to the specific responsibility element of the payment, the Member may retain the Basic Salary.

Repayment of salaries, allowances or fees

1.  Where payment of any salary, allowance or fee has been made to a Member of the Authority or Co-opted Member in respect of any period during which the Member concerned:

• is suspended or partially suspended from that Member’s/Co-opted Member’s duties or responsibilities in accordance with Part 3 of the 2000 Act or regulations made under that Act;
• ceases to be a Member of the Authority or Co-opted Member; or
• is in any other way not entitled to receive a salary, allowance or fee in respect of that period, the Authority will require that such part of the allowance as relates to any such period be repaid.

Payments

1. Payments of all allowances will be made by the Director of Resources by direct bank credit in instalments of one-twelfth of the Member’s annual entitlement usually on the 25^th day of each month (otherwise the previous working day).
2. Where payment has resulted in a Member receiving more than their  entitlement to salaries, allowances or fees the Authority will require that such part that is overpayment be repaid.
3. All payments are subject to the appropriate tax and National Insurance deductions.

Reimbursement of Costs of Care

1. Reimbursement of costs of care shall be paid to a Member or Co-opted Member, who has caring responsibility for dependent children or adults, or a personal care requirement, provided the Member incurs expenses in the provision of such care whilst undertaking ‘approved’ council duties.
2. Reimbursement of costs of care applies in respect of children who are aged 15 or under and other persons for whom the Member or Co-opted Member can show that care is required. If a Member or Co-opted Member has more than one dependent the Member may claim more than one allowance, provided the Member can demonstrate a need to make separate arrangements for care.
3. Eligible Members may claim reimbursement of costs of care for actual and receipted costs up to a maximum amount not exceeding that determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales as set out in Schedule 1. All claims for reimbursement of costs of care should be made in writing to Democratic Services detailing times, dates and reasons for claim. Receipts are required for both informal and formal care arrangements.

Family Absence

1. Members are entitled under the provisions of the Family Absence for Members of Local Authorities (Wales) Regulations 2013 to a period of family absence, during which if they satisfy the prescribed conditions they are entitled to be absent from authority meetings.
2. When taking family absence Members are entitled to retain a basic salary irrespective of their attendance record immediately preceding the commencement of the family absence.
3. Should a senior salary holder be eligible for family absence they will be able to continue to receive their senior salary for the duration of the absence.
4. If the authority agrees that it is necessary to make a substitute appointment to cover the family absence of a senior salary holder the Member substituting will be eligible if the authority so decides to be paid a senior salary.
5. If the paid substitution results in the authority exceeding its maximum number of senior salaries, an addition to the maximum will be allowed for the duration of the substitution.

Co-optees’ payments

1.  A Co-optees’ daily fee (with a provision for half day payments) shall be paid to Co-optees, provided they are statutory Co-optees with voting rights.
2. Co-optees’ payments will be capped at a maximum of the equivalent of ten full days a year for each committee to which an individual may be co-opted.
3. Payments will take into consideration travelling time to and from the place of the meeting, reasonable time for pre meeting preparation and length of meeting (up to the maximum of the daily rate).
4. The Head of Democratic Services is designated as the “appropriate officer” and will determine preparation time, travelling time and length of meeting, the fee will be paid on the basis of this determination.
5. The Head of Democratic Services can determine in advance whether a meeting is programmed for a full day and the fee will be paid on the basis of this determination even if the meeting finishes before four hours has elapsed.
6. A half day meeting is defined as up to 4 hours.
7. A full day meeting is defined as over 4 hours.
8. An hourly rate may be paid where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings.  The rate is set out in Schedule 1.
9. The daily and half day fee for the Chairpersons of the Standards Committee and Governance and Audit Committee, as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, is set out in Schedule 1.
10. The daily and half day fee for other statutory Co-optees with voting rights, as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, is set out in Schedule 1.
11. The Head of Democratic Services has flexibility to determine when it is appropriate to apply a day or a half day rate or to use an hourly rate where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings.

Travel and Subsistence Allowances 

General Principles

1. Members and Co-opted Members are entitled to claim travelling expenses when travelling on the Authority’s business for ‘approved duties’ as set out in Schedule 2. Where Members travel on the Authority’s business they are expected to travel by the most cost effective means.  In assessing cost effectiveness regard will be given to journey time. A Member who does not travel by the most cost effective means may have their claim abated by an appropriate amount. 
2. Where possible Members should share transport. 
3. The distance claimed for mileage should be the shortest reasonable journey by road from the point of departure to the point at which the duty is performed, and similarly from the duty point to the place of return.
4. The rates of Members’ Travel and Subsistence Allowances are set out in Schedule 3 and are subject to annual review by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
5. Where a Member is suspended or partially suspended from their responsibilities or duties as a Member of the Authority in accordance with Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 (Conduct of Members), or regulations made under the Act, any travel and subsistence allowances payable to them  in respect of that period for which they are suspended or partially suspended must be withheld by the Authority.

Travel by Private Vehicle

1. The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales has determined that the maximum travel rates payable should be the rates set out by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs for the use of private cars, motor cycles and pedal cycles plus any passenger supplement.
2. The mileage rates for private vehicles as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales are set out in Schedule 3.
3. Where a Member makes use of their private vehicle for approved duty purposes, the vehicle must be insured for business use.  Proof of appropriate insurance must be provided to the Authority on request.

Travel by Public Transport

Rail/Coach Travel

Unless otherwise authorised rail tickets will be second-class. Members are responsible for purchasing suitable tickets in advance and may claim for tickets purchased which will be reimbursed upon production of the used ticket and/or a receipt.

Taxi Fares

Taxi fares will only be reimbursed where their use has been authorised for cases of urgency, where no public transport is reasonably available, or a Member has a particular personal need. Re-imbursement will be upon receipt only.

Air Fare

Travel by air is permissible if it is the most cost effective means of transport.  Authorisation of the Head of Democratic Services is required and tickets will be purchased via Committee Services Unless otherwise authorised flight tickets will be budget or economy class. Discounted flight tickets will be purchased well in advance wherever possible in order to reduce costs.

Travel Abroad

Travel abroad on the Authority’s business will only be permitted where authorised by the Head of Democratic Services. Democratic Services will arrange travel and accommodation. 

Other Travel Expenses

Members are entitled to reimbursement of toll fees, parking fees, overnight garaging and other necessary travel associated expenses. Re-imbursement will be upon receipt only.

Overnight Accommodation

1. Overnight stays will only be permitted where the Authority’s business extends to two days or more, or the venue is at such a distance that early morning or late night travel would be unreasonable. All overnight stays must receive prior authorisation from the Head of Democratic Services.
2. Overnight accommodation will be booked via the Head of Democratic Services. Wherever possible the overnight accommodation will be pre-paid or invoiced. 
3. Direct booking of overnight accommodation by a Member will only be permitted in the event of an emergency. Reimbursement will only be made upon the production of a receipt and will be at a level deemed reasonable and not in excess of the rates set out in Schedule 3.

Subsistence Allowance

1. The day subsistence rate to meet the costs of meals and refreshments in connection with approved duties (including breakfast when not provided as part of overnight accommodation) is set out in Schedule 3. The maximum daily rate covers a 24 hour period and can be claimed for any meal that is relevant, providing such a claim is supported by receipt(s)
2. No provision is made for subsistence claims within the County Borough.

Claims and Payments

1.  A claim for travel and subsistence allowances must be made in writing within three months of the end of the calendar month in which entitlement to allowances arises and must be accompanied by the relevant receipts.
2. Allowances will be paid by the Director of Resources by direct bank credit.

Pensions

1. The Authority shall enable its Members who are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Supporting the work of Authority Members

1. The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales expects Members to be provided with adequate support to carry out their duties and that the support provided should take account of the specific needs of individual Members. The Authority’s Democratic Services Committee is required to review the level of support provided to Members and should take proposals for reasonable support to the full council.
2. All elected Members shall be provided with the means to have adequate telephone, email and internet facilities to give electronic access to appropriate information.
3. Such support should be without cost to any Member. Deductions must not be made from Members’ salaries as a contribution towards the cost of support which the Authority has decided is necessary for the effectiveness and or efficiency of Members.

Compliance

1. In accordance with the Regulations, the Authority must comply with the requirements of Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in respect of the monitoring and publication of payments made to Members and Co-opted Members as set out in Schedule 4.

Members & Co-opted Members are reminded that expense claims are subject to both internal and external audit.

Schedule 1

Members Entitled to basic salary

Annual amount of basic salary: £18,666

The following named Elected Members of the Authority receive the basic salary:

• Jamie Adams

• David Bryan
• Alistair Cameron
• Aaron Carey
• Di Clements
• John Cole
• Alec Cormack
• John Davies
• Pat Davies
• Terry Davies
• Alan Dennison
• Tim Evans
• Claire George
• Jonathan Grimes
• Nicola Gwynn
• Brian Hall
• David Howlett
• Mike James
• Phil Kidney
• Peter Morgan
• Elwyn Morse
• Mel Phillips
• Bethan Price
• Shon Rees
• David Simpson
• Sam Skyrme-Blackhall
• Mike Stoddart
• Viv Stoddart
• Aled Thomas
• Vanessa Thomas
• Marc Tierney
• Anji Tinley
• Thomas Tudor
• Iwan Ward
• Michele Wiggins
• Chris Williams
• Michael Williams
• Simon Wright
• Steve Yelland
• Danny Young

Councillor Andrew Edwards: £17,600

Councillor Jordan Ryan: £3,000

Senior salaries entitlements (includes basic salary)

• Leader Councillor Jon Harvey: £62,998
• Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Miller: £44,099
• Cabinet Member - Education and Welsh Language Councillor Guy Woodham: £37,799
• Cabinet Member - Planning and Regulatory Services Councillor Jacob Williams: £37,799
• Cabinet Member - Housing Councillor Michelle Bateman: £37,799
• Cabinet Member – Communities, Corporate Improvement and the Well-being of Future Generations Councillor Neil Prior: £37,799
• Cabinet Member – Social Care and Safeguarding Councillor Tessa Hodgson: £37,799
• Cabinet Member – Corporate Finance and Efficiencies Councillor Joshua Beynon: £37,799
• Cabinet Member - Resident Services Councillor Rhys Sinnett: £37,799
• Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Rhys Jordan: £27,999
• Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Michael John: £27,999
• Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Mark Carter: £27,999
• Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Delme Harries: £27,999
• Planning and Rights of Way Committee Councillor Simon Hancock: £27,999
• Licensing Committee Councillor Tony Wilcox: £27,999
• Leader of the Largest Opposition Group Councillor Huw Murphy: £27,999

A maximum of 18 senior salaries for Pembrokeshire County Council may be paid and this has not been exceeded.

Entitlement to civic salaries

• Chair of Council Councillor Steve Alderman: £27,999
• Vice-Chair of Council Councillor Maureen Bowen: £22,406

Entitlement as Statutory Co-optees

• Chair of Standards Committee Nick Watt: £268 Daily Fee :£134 ½ Day Fee Hourly Rate £33.50
• Chair of Governance and Audit Committee Mr John Evans: £268 Daily Fee: £134 ½ Day Fee Hourly Rate £33.50

Statutory Co-optees – Ordinary Member

Amount of co-optees allowances: £210 (4 hours and over) £105 (up to 4 hours) Houry rate £26.25

Standards Committee

• Mr Paul Rowley
• Ms Moira Saunders
• Community Councillor David Edwards
• Community Councillor Sarah Snow

Governance and Audit Committee

• Mr Martin Veale
• Dr Norma Barry

Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee

• Rev John Cecil
• Ms Alison Kavanagh
• Mr James Parkin

Contribution towards costs of care and personal assistance

All Members

• Formal (registered with Care Inspectorate Wales) care costs to be paid as evidenced.
• Informal (unregistered) care costs to be paid up to a maximum rate equivalent to the Real UK Living Wage at the time the costs are incurred.

Members Support – what is provided in terms of telephone, internet or email (see Determination 6)

IT / Communications and Office Support - supplement: £500

Schedule 2

Approved duties:  

•  attendance at a meeting of the Authority or of any committee of the Authority or of any body to which the Authority makes appointments or nominations or of any committee of such a body;
• attendance at a meeting of any association of authorities of which the Authority is a member;
• attendance at any other meeting the holding of which is authorised by the Authority or by a committee of the Authority or by a joint committee of the Authority and one or more other Authorities;
• a duty undertaken for the purpose of or in connection with the discharge of the functions of Cabinet;
• a duty undertaken in pursuance of a standing order which requires a Member or Members to be present when tender documents are opened;
• a duty undertaken in connection with the discharge of any function of the Authority which empowers or requires the Authority to inspect or authorise the inspection of premises;
• attendance at any training or developmental event approved by the Authority or its Cabinet;
• any other duty approved by the Authority, or any other duty of a class so approved, undertaken for the purpose of, or in connection with, the discharge of the functions of the Authority or of any of its Committees.

[The determination of whether a duty is and ‘approved duty’ is delegated to the Head of Paid Service] 

Schedule 3

Mileage Rates

All sizes of private motor vehicle

Up to 10,000 miles - 45 pence per mile
Over 10,000 miles - 25 pence per mile

Private Motor Cycles - 24 pence per mile

Pedal Cycles - 20 pence per mile

Passenger supplement 05 pence per mile

Subsistence Allowance

The day subsistence rate is up to a maximum of £28 and covers a 24 hour period and can be claimed for any meal if relevant provided such a claim is supported by receipts. 

Re-imbursement of alcoholic drinks is not permitted.

Overnight Stay

The maximum allowances for an overnight stay are £200 for London and £95 for elsewhere.  A maximum of £30 is available for an overnight stay with friends or relatives whilst on approved duty.

Schedule 4

Compliance

• The Authority will arrange for the publication on the council’s website the total sum paid by it to each Member and Co-opted Member in respect of salary, allowances, fees and reimbursements not later than 30 September following the close of the year to which it relates.  In the interests of transparency this will include remuneration from all public service appointments held by elected Member
• The Authority will publish on the council’s website a statement of the basic responsibility of a councillor and role descriptors for senior salary office holders, which clearly identify the duties expected.
• The Authority will publish on the council’s website the annual schedule of Member Remuneration not later than 31 July of the year to which the schedule refers. 
• The authority will send a copy of the schedule to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales not later than 31 July of the year to which the schedule refers.
• The Authority will maintain records of Member/Co-opted Members attendance at meetings of council, cabinet and committees and other approved duties for which a Member/Co-opted Member submits a claim for reimbursement.
• The Authority will arrange for the publication on the council’s website of annual reports prepared by Members. 
• When the Authority agrees a paid substitution for family absence it will notify the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales within 14 days of the date of the decision of the details including the particular post and the duration of the substitution.

 

            The daily and half day fee for the Chairpersons of the Standards Committee and Governance and Audit Committee, as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, is set out in Schedule 1.

 

9.10    The daily and half day fee for other statutory Co-optees with voting rights, as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, is set out in Schedule 1.

 

9.11    The Head of Democratic Services has flexibility to determine when it is appropriate to apply a day or a half day rate or to use an hourly rate where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings.

 

Hourly rate £33.50