Councillor pay in Powys is set to rise by more than £1,000 next April, with a draft report proposing an increase in the basic salary for all members to £19,771.

This comes despite pressure on councils to cut services and raise taxes in a big to balance the books.

The rise, which represents a 5.9 per cent increase from £18,666, is part of a plan by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) to align councillor pay with average earnings and attract a wider range of candidates.

The proposed increase follows a £1,000 rise last year and a 17 per cent hike in salaries the year before.

The leader will see their pay rise to £66,727, up by more than £3,700. The deputy leader will earn £46,709, up by £2,700, while cabinet members will receive £40,036.

Committee chairs and the leader of the opposition will both get a boost to £29,657.

IRPW chairwoman Frances Duffy said: “The Panel believes fair and reasonable levels of remuneration are crucial to local democracy.”

The proposals will now be consulted before a final report is issued in February.