THE leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Harry Andrews, has written to all 73 members of the authority urging them not to accept a proposed pay rise.

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, a statutory body established by the Welsh Government, is proposing an average one per cent pay increase in all Welsh councillors’ allowances for 2014/15.

But Cllr Andrews has said he believes it would be “in the spirit of fairness” if councillors forgo the remuneration panel’s proposal.

He said: “At a time of increasing austerity for our residents, with many workers – including our own workforce – enduring pay freezes and a cost of living crisis, I believe it would be inappropriate for members of our authority to accept the pay rise proposed.

“I am therefore calling on every Caerphilly County Borough councillor to join me in forgoing the proposed pay rise. This is, of course, a matter for every individual member to decide for themselves.”