Falkirk councillors get 4.2% pay rise

The increase - which is decided independently for all Scottish councilllors - takes a councillor's basic salary to £18,604 per year.

The pay rise applies automatically to the role of council leader, taking this wage up to £37,213.

Councillors did, however, have to agree that the rise should also apply to the Provost's allowance, taking it to £27,910.

Councillors with extra responsibilities will now get £24,938, while opposition group leaders will get £20,905.

Councillors also agreed that the increase to senior councillor payments will be applied automatically from now on.

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/crime/two-men-charged-with-fraud-and-theft-after-falkirk-area-residents-lose-ps31000-3177075

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/people/postmen-saved-my-husbands-life-says-langlees-wife-after-man-suffered-stroke-in-garden-3176865

Labour Group leader Robert Bissett argued that this change should come to the council every year and "be in full view" but this was defeated after a vote.

Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: "This rise is automatic and the funding does not affect frontline services."

While councillors can't refuse the rise, some donate it to charity.

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