DEVON’S county councillors could be in line for a £1,000 hike in their basic allowance thanks to recommendations of an independent panel.

The three-strong panel is suggesting an increase of more than seven per cent, taking the basic rate to nearly £15,100 from May.

The jump, from just over £14,000, is being proposed because of the cost-of-living crisis, a belief that higher remuneration could help attract a more diverse range of councillors, and to reflect the significant workload.

The proposed changes will be put to a vote at full council later this month. It was explained the payment is an allowance, not a salary.

That is a vital distinction, according to the pay panel’s chair, Heather Morgan, who is a tribunal judge, as it means there is no pension entitlement.

She told the authority’s procedures committee: ‘That came as a surprise to some newer members, which is why one of our recommendations is to highlight to people who are exploring the possibility of standing for election what the terms and conditions are.’

Beyond the basic allowance, some councillors receive special responsibility allowances for chairing committees or holding leadership positions.

Leader John Hart’s basic allowance will rise to £37,705 if the proposals are accepted, Cllr Hart, who sits on the committee, abstained from the vote to support the recommendations. 

The panel noted it had ‘consistently recommended rises’ up until 2017, but these had not been implemented, and so it was ‘pleased’ its recommendations had been accepted since.

The panel had compared Devon’s basic allowance to other councils in the south west, and that even after the proposed rise, it would be broadly in line with Wiltshire Council (£15,004), but still behind Cornwall Council (£17,681), Somerset Council (£15,500) and Bristol City Council (£15,169).

The panel, which also includes Bryony Houlden, chief executive of South West Councils, and Steve Barriball, former chief executive of Citizens Advice, Exeter, also highlighted that councillors receive abuse and intimidation.

Ms Morgan said: ‘While the 7.5 per cent figure may well cause eyebrows to raise, it was achieved using the formula we have applied for many years.’