Independent-Led Llanelli Town Council Scraps Councillor Expenses – Saving Taxpayers £15,000 every year!

The new Independent-led administration at Llanelli Town Council has delivered on its pledge to scrap Councillor attendance and role-based expenses — a decision which will save Llanelli taxpayers approximately £15,000 every year.

At a meeting of Full Council, Members voted to remove:

• Attendance Allowance (£30 per meeting)
• Mayoral Allowance (£1,500 per annum)
• Deputy Mayoral Allowance (£500 per annum)

These payments were introduced in 2022 under the previous Labour administration led by Councillor David Darkin. 

Unlike County Councillors, who receive salaries because of the scale and statutory responsibilities of their roles, serving as a Town Councillor has always been voluntary. That long-standing principle has defined Llanelli Town Council and how it has operated for decades.

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales did not mandate these payments. It simply gave councils discretion to introduce payments of up to £30 per meeting should they wish to do so. 

It was stated that the Council remains committed to supporting future Councillors of all backgrounds should they require assistance through a targeted discretionary support which has always been in place and does not drain the budget as the expenses have since their introduction.

Independent Council Leader Cllr Sean Rees said:

“We have been consistent on this issue. For decades, the role of a Councillor at Llanelli Town Council has been recognised and respected as a voluntary public service position.

“We said that we would remove these expenses and we have now delivered this in our first meeting as a new Administration.”

Cllr Rees also confirmed at the meeting that he will also not be accepting the Leader’s Allowance. 

Deputy Council Leader Cllr Michael Cranham added:

“Town Councillors’ attendance and additional role-based expenses are unnecessary, counterproductive and are an unjustifiable cost to the taxpayer.

“At a time when households continue to face sustained financial pressure, this £15,000 annual saving represents a meaningful commitment to respecting every pound of public money and restoring trust in local government.”

The following Councillors voted in favour of removing the expenses:

• Cllr Sean Rees
• Cllr Michael Cranham
• Cllr Steve Williams
• Cllr Louvain Roberts
• Cllr Andrew Bragoli
• Cllr Sarah Evans
• Cllr Terry Davies
• Cllr Lillith Fenris
• Cllr John Jones
• Cllr Amanda Carter
• Cllr Alan Cameron Williams

Labour Town Councillors who were present at the meeting abstained from the vote.

Following the vote, the Council has confirmed that the payments will now cease with immediate effect.