Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Do Wiltshire Councillors deserve a 'pay' increase?
On Tuesday, Wiltshire Council (WC) will debate whether to increase payments to councillors and other committee members.

Currently the 98 councillors each get a basic allowance of £9,875 PA. A report by an independent panel suggests increasing this to £12,167 to 'recognise' the increased workload in the new unitary authority.

There are a range of other increases proposed for councillors doing other jobs within the council. These figures are in addition to the basic allowance. The council leader would get £25,168, the deputy leader £20,134, the eight cabinet members would each get £15,101 and the thirteen 'portfolio holders' would get £7,551. Under the old system the cabinet members got £12,570 and the portfolio holders didn't exist - they're a new invention of the Leader designed to spread the workload, and increase costs of course.

The Scrutiny Committee chairman would get £8,809, other main committee chairmen £5,663 and chairmen of the Area Boards £3,775.

There are also payments for non-councillors who are co-opted committee members. Those on the Standards Committee would get £2,240 and external members of the Children's Select Committee would get £896.

The council itself will decide on Tuesday whether or not to accept any or all of the increases.