SIR,

Senior pay at Welsh councils is a huge problem. Since the Thatcher era, a market has existed in officer pay whereby 22 different pay policies are set in Wales.

The results of this are that there is no transparency for the public, and officers can often be given sudden pay increases, especially as each council has to try to keep up with its neighbour.

Some councils handle this process as best as they can and put their policies before full scrutiny, but others, such as Caerphilly council, have gone through scandals which have led to officers being suspended or standing down.

This situation simply has to be brought under control, and a level playing field put in place.

As Plaid Cymru's Shadow Local Government Minister, I have tabled an amendment to the Local Democracy Bill, a new Welsh law that has just started to work its way through the National Assembly.

My amendment will end these senior pay hikes by putting all officer pay under the authority of an all-Wales independent remuneration panel.

The panel will set transparent and easily understandable levels of pay, consistent for the whole of Wales, based on population and other considerations.

We will still be able to attract the very best talent to these roles, and they will still be well-paid positions, but the spectre of sudden pay hikes will be put to an end.

Effectively, we will be returning to the pre-Thatcher situation where everyone knew what the salaries were.

Plaid Cymru believes that we need to get this situation under control and I look forward to building support across Wales for my amendment.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM

(Shadow Minister

for Local Government)