Flintshire councillors could see £1,200 pay rise next April
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru has published draft proposals for councillor allowances that would see Flintshire councillors receive a 6.4% rise from April 2026.
This is the first councillor pay award made by the Commission since it took over the role from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, which was abolished in March 2025 following the passing of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act in July 2024.
The Act, which received Royal Assent last autumn, expanded the remit of the Commission across aspects of Welsh democracy, including setting remuneration for members of councils, national park authorities, fire and rescue authorities, and community and town councils.
The draft Annual Remuneration Report for 2026–27 sets out that the basic salary for elected members of principal councils, including Flintshire, would increase from the current £19,771 to £21,044.
Senior roles would also see increases.
In Flintshire, which falls into Group B councils with a population of between 100,000 and 200,000, the draft proposals would set the leader’s salary at £71,025, up from the current £66,727.
Deputy leaders would be paid £49,717, compared with £43,373 now.
Cabinet members would move from £40,036 to £42,615.
A comparison of current and draft figures is set out below:
| Role | Current 2025–26 | Draft 2026–27 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic councillor salary | £19,771 | £21,044 | +£1,273 |
| Council leader | £66,727 | £71,025 | +£4,298 |
| Deputy leader | £43,373 | £49,717 | +£6,344 |
| Cabinet member | £40,036 | £42,615 | +£2,579 |
| Committee chair / opposition leader | £29,657 | £31,567 | +£1,910 |
| Civic head (chair of council) | £29,657 | £31,567 | +£1,910 |
| Deputy civic head (vice-chair) | £23,726 | £25,253 | +£1,527 |
The draft report also proposes that community and town councils continue with the same main remuneration allowances, though financial loss compensation would be updated in line with earnings.
Beverley Smith, chair of the Commission, said in the report foreword: “This draft report is now published for consultation. We welcome any comments on either the detail of our proposed determinations or any other relevant areas you think we should consider. The consultation period ends on 18 November 2025.”
The Commission said the basic councillor salary is based on a full-time equivalent of three days a week, reflecting the responsibilities of community representation, scrutiny and governance.
The draft report re-states that: “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.”
If adopted, the proposed increases will add further pressure to Flintshire Council’s budget.
In 2025–26, similar rises added around £93,000 to the council’s costs.
The authority continues to face a significant multi-million-pound funding gap and has warned of difficult decisions ahead without increased support from Welsh Government.
Flintshire’s constitution and democratic services committee is expected to consider the draft report during the consultation period before submitting a response to the Commission.
The draft proposals are open for an eight-week consultation from 23 September to 18 November 2025.
The final report will be published by the end of the year.
Further details and the full report are available at www.dbcc.gov.wales/remuneration
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