A CORNWALL councillor says there is a “stark difference” between what elected members receive compared to the salaries of council officers.

Independent councillor Dulcie Tudor, who represents Chacewater and Threemilestone near Truro, says it’s “hard to make ends meet” as a Cornwall councillor unless you have a second job, pension or alternative income stream.

Her comments followed the revelation that 25 senior officers at Cornwall Council were paid over £100,000 in the financial year 2024/25. Chief executive Kate Kennally received over £200,000 – more than the Prime Minister’s salary.

Cllr Tudor said the article “illustrates the stark difference between elected members’ and officers’ salaries”.

She added: “Like the vast majority of Cornwall councillors, I get a basic annual allowance of £18,368. On top of that, because I chair one of the council’s planning committees, I get a ‘special allowance’ of £6,796. So, after tax, £1,840 lands in my bank account each month. That’s about the same as if I were on the National Minimum Wage.

“All those councillors who don’t have chair or cabinet positions get the basic allowance of £18,368, well below the National Minimum Wage and the Real Living Wage.

“This is why it’s hard to make ends meet as a Cornwall councillor unless you’re in receipt of a pension, have other income streams or another job.

“The total allowances of all the 87 Cornwall councillors added together don’t create much of a blip in the overall annual budget when we set the council tax - but the considerably higher officers’ salaries do.”

Cllr Tudor continued: “I know some argue councillors should do the job for free, simply for the honour of representing our communities. It’s a nice idea, but not practical or good for democracy.” She acknowledged parish and town councillors are unpaid and “are being asked to do more and more”